BLINK, BURN.

IMMERSIVE VISUAL/AURAL PERFORMANCE TO DEBUT DURING
ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH

Year-long collaboration between Pratt Institute and the New World Symphony culminates in a sensational performance of audio-visual artworks on December 7 at The New World Center

NEW YORK, N.Y.– Students from Pratt Institute, a renowned New York City-based college that educates creative thinkers from around the world, will unite with Fellows from the New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy (NWS), which prepares graduates of music programs for leadership roles in professional orchestras and ensembles, on a high-profile visual and aural performance entitled BLINK, BURN. that will be presented at the New World Center during Art Basel Miami Beach.

The performance is the result of a year-long partnership involving seven students from Pratt’s School of Art (Film/Video, Digital Design, and Fine Arts programs) and six NWS Fellows. With distance as an obvious challenge in the process, and having only met face to face twice, the Brooklyn-based students and Miami-based Fellows met weekly via the Internet to share ideas and liaise on their video and musical collaborations.

The result of their efforts is BLINK, BURN., which encompasses four different video and musical pieces that explore the general theme of human impact and the multifaceted, complicated nature of humanity. Participants in the project include Pratt students Natalie Carvallo (B.F.A.’19), Emma Dold (B.F.A.’18), Holly Durgan (B.F.A.’19), Lou Goncalves (B.F.A.’19), Lauren Kolar (B.F.A.’18), Alexander Mejia (B.F.A.’18), and Christopher Thomas Rutledge (B.F.A.’18); and NWS Fellows Mary Reed, Zach Manzi, Nick Castellano, Christopher Hernacki, Andrew Chilcote, and Ludek Wojtkowski.

Lifeblood, composed by Zach Manzi (Clarinet) and Christopher Hernacki (Bass Trombone): In this piece, the artists explore elemental life forces such as water, blood, and human life. Building upon these elements, the artists introduce humans as the life blood of the cities they occupy.
Zodiac Suite, composed by Andrew Chilcote (Double Bass): This piece introduces several reimagined astrological signs with corresponding planets, colors, symbols and elements. The visual component will be projected onto the musician as he plays.
Ex Materia, composed by Mary Reed (Double Bass): The central theme for this piece is creation, destruction, and this repetitive, natural cycle.
Utopia, composed by Ludek Wojtkowski (Violin): This work tackles climate change through 3D animation and live footage. The visuals will show rising sea levels, the destruction of Earth, and its rebirth.