Conflux 2010 Press Release
Press contact: Michael Mastroianni
Email: media [at] confluxfestival.org
Phone: CHRISTINA RAY Gallery: 212 334 0204
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 14, 2010
Press Preview: Friday, October 08, 5–7pm at Conflux Headquarters (Barney Building)
Conflux Festival Takes Over East Village with Weekend of Urban Art and Technology.
September 13, 2010 (New York) - Conflux, the art and technology festival for the creative exploration of urban public space, is pleased to announce over 75 interactive art and technology events to take place October 08–10, 2010 in the East Village. Throughout the weekend, participants will transform the neighborhood into a street-based laboratory with outdoor art installations, interactive performances, games, guided expeditions and more. Indoor events, headquartered in the historic NYU Barney Building (34 Stuyvesant St.), include evening performances and the Conflux Café series of artist-led talks and workshops. All outdoor events are free to attend; indoor events are ticketed (daily admission $5; $3 for students). As a leading venue for cutting-edge work by public-space artists, technologists, scholars and practitioners of contemporary psychogeography (the study of the effects of the geographic environment on the emotions and behavior of individuals), Conflux provides an open framework for the examination, celebration and (re)construction of everyday city life.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 08 – KICKOFF:
The 7th annual Conflux festival – based on themes of investigation, action and transmission – begins Friday, October 08 from 7 to 8pm with a keynote address by renowned urban explorer Steve Duncan, whose guerilla approach to photography has led him from the tops of bridges to the depths of sewer tunnels, and whose pursuits have been recognized by numerous galleries, international publications and media networks including the Discovery Channel. Space is limited for this special event and tickets are available for $5 online at confluxfestival.org.
Following the address on Friday evening will be a kickoff party from 8 to 11pm in the headquarters with a performance by up-and-coming electronic duo Innergaze and DJ MASTA' KIM. Attendance for the party is free and open to the public.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 09 AND SUNDAY 10 – INDOORS:
On Saturday and Sunday, Conflux Café takes place at the Barney Building, where presenters will share ideas, answer questions, entertain, provoke, and otherwise engage with with festival attendees. Scheduled in two-hours blocks, this informal, drop-in-style conversation series offers an opportunity to learn from leading artists and technologists at the heart of the Conflux community, most of whom have participated in previous years.
Conflux Café presenters include Liz Barry, the Bronx River Consortium (with Andrea Reynosa and Kevin Vertrees), Dennis Crowley (Foursquare), Steve Dietz, DoTank Brooklyn, Jason Eppink, Moses Gates, Galen Hunter (free103point9), Bettina Johae, Michael Mandiberg, Eve Mosher, Sal Randolph, Mark Shepard, Brooke Singer, Julia Solis, Lee Walton, Caroline Woolard and Ricardo Miranda Zuñiga.
On Saturday evening, from 6 to 10pm, the Café will feature a multimedia performance by indie collective Fall on Your Sword along with a YouTube DJ set from Mike Rugnetta.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 09 AND SUNDAY 10 – OUTDOORS:
On the streets of the East Village, flags bearing the Conflux “X” will mark the spots where events take place all day Saturday and Sunday. To experience events, simply travel the neighborhood – or stop by the Barney Building first, where a large wall-map along with a free printed guide and festival staff will provide detailed information. Artist-led walks, self-guided audio tours, hidden artworks, sound installations and more are to be found throughout the neighborhood.
A few highlights: The World is My 8th Street, an interactive audio and Google maps tour, explores urban space changing over time through stories from history, literature, pop culture and personal experience. Interpretive Trails re-interprets Con Edison marks on sidewalks as trail markers in a network of hiking/walking trails for pedestrians. Tektonomology is a two-day expedition to catalogue all named buildings in the East Village. Energy Agency is a workshop exploring ways collective action can positively impact NYC energy consumption. Italian artist Giulio Ammendola brings his turntable to lead Wheel, a walk guided by a music-meets-maps mashup.
Keep an eye (and ear) out for more events – everything from nighttime interactive projections of animals to drummers on fire escapes, 2-d bar code puzzles, installations in cars, a cemetery tour and botanical illustrations of East Village plant life. A complete list of projects, locations and hours is available on the festival website.
Conflux is produced by CHRISTINA RAY, an innovative art gallery and creative catalyst whose mission is to discover and present the most important contemporary artwork exploring the relationship between people and places. The 2010 festival is hosted by NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development's Department of Art and Art Professions. The 2010 festival team includes Christina Ray as Executive Director, David Darts as Curatorial Director and Guest Curator Calvin Johnson.
SUMMARY OF HOURS AND EVENTS:
Friday, October 08
- 5–7pm: Press Preview at Conflux Headquarters (Barney Building)
- 7–8pm: Keynote Address, NYU Barney Building auditorium ($5 admission; limited seating)
- 8–11pm: Kickoff party with Soundwalk performance (free admission)
- All day: Conflux events outdoors in the area surrounding the HQ (free)
- 12–6pm: Conflux Café series in the HQ ($5 or $3 for students with ID)
- 6–10pm: Café continues with performances by Fall on Your Sword and Mike Rugnetta
- All day: Conflux events outdoors in the area surrounding the HQ (free)
- 12-6pm: Conflux Café series in the HQ ($5 or $3 for students with ID)
Event Dates: October 08–10, 2010
Conflux Headquarters Location: New York University . Barney Building . 34 Stuyvesant St. . NYC
Directions: 4/6 train to Astor Place; N/R train to 8th Street; L train to 3rd Avenue
Tickets: Purchase tickets for indoor events online or at the door. All outdoor events are free.
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