Recapping the MAP {Re}HAPPENING 2011

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by Justin Belleme
on Monday, April 25, 2011

Photo by Jennifer Saylor

A joint event produced by The Black Mountain College Museum and Art Center (BMCM+AC) and The Media Arts Project (The MAP).

Event Date: April 9^th 2011

For the 2nd year in a row the The Black Mountain College Museum and Art Center (BMCM+AC) and The Media Arts Project (The MAP) produced the {Re}HAPPENING, a free-form art event held at the original location of the Black Mountain College, now Camp Rockmont of LEAF fame.

Being that I am more of an analytical, concrete thinker here is a blurb from the event press release describing the event:

"The BMC campus will be transformed into site-specific art spaces where everything from sculptural video installation, to interactive sculpture, to multimedia-based performance takes place," said Gene Felice, a board member of both organizations and the artist coordinating the event. "The idea is that art is 'happening' all around us simultaneously. It's up to the viewer to choose to see or experience in the moment, possibly missing something going on in another space, but knowing that they are part of the creative process that is transpiring around them."

In partnership with the MAP, this BMCM +AC event pays tribute to Black Mountain College by bringing its dynamic energy into the present day. The project has developed as an innovative fundraising and art-based collaboration between the two non-profits, balancing the history, innovation and experience of BMCM+AC, with the forward-thinking and media-based collective of artists that defines the MAP.

Because of a powerful thunder storm in the area, we arrived at the event late, but still had a wonderful time mingling with many of the most creative and artistic minds in the Asheville area. The rain and lightening forced some of the event's more ambitious performances to be reworked on the fly; however I was pleasantly surprised at how well the artists and coordinators adjusted to the unfortunate circumstances.

Highlights of the Event

My brother, local photographer Mike Belleme, was transfixed by an indoor performance art exhibit taking place late in the evening in the main dining hall. I was trying, without success to drag him across property to my favorite exhibit, the GeoDome Theater, a fully immersive educational inflatable dome by the Elumenati.

Here are some of Mike's photos of the indoor performance.

Eventually I was able to get my brother's attention and get us in line for what was the final 30 minute GeoDome presentation of the evening. I have had the pleasure of experiencing the GeoDome Theater four times over the last three years, and I can say with confidence that my experiences in the dome have been some of the most profound, and eye opening educational moments of my life. The visual experience is similar to a smaller I-MAX theater, however unlike a per-produced video performance, the presentation is an interactive, real-time, simulated exploration of our universe. As has been the case with three of my four GeoDome experiences, the tour was guided by Elumenati co-founder David McConville. David is also a founding member of the Media Arts Project. Every GeoDome experience is unique, offering a rarely seen visual representation of the Earth's unique placement in our known universe.

Here are a few sample photos (not taken at this event) by Jennifer Saylor from her Flickr account.

On a final note, I would like to mention that I also had a wonderful time hanging out with my good friend Sean "Jinx" Pace, while he operated a projection art exhibit created by Melissa Terrazza. I find that being around Sean and his art projects, and Kung Fu wisdom, adds a lot of excitement and flavor to my life.

Comments

Justin - Tuesday, April 26, 2011 @ 9:11:24 pm

Lorraine,

I was not able to make it to the dinner, it was already sold out when I got my ticket to the event. Maybe someone else will respond with the details.

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About the Author - Justin Belleme

Contact Justin Belleme:
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