Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: Virginia McInnis | [email protected] | 480-874-4663
Squidsoup Returns to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) welcomes back Squidsoup, the creators of the Museum’s 2017 standout installation “Ocean of Light: Submergence.” SMoCA and Canal Convergence present an expanded installation by Squidsoup in two locations. “Murmuration” is on view November 2019 – May 2020 at the Museum and “Standing Wave” will be on display at the Scottsdale Waterfront throughout Canal Convergence from November 8 – 17 and will remain installed until January 5, 2020.
The site-specific artwork — “Murmuration” — will use networked data systems to connect hundreds of lights and audio sources, creating a responsive data swarm. During the daytime, “Murmuration” offers a harmonious auditory experience, but when the sun goes down, a dynamic audiovisual experience swirls around the Museum like its namesake — a term for a flock of starlings whirling in unison through the sky.
Squidsoup’s
2017 installation “Ocean of Light: Submergence” experienced over 49,000
attendees, broadened the Museum’s social media reach and brought new audiences.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Squidsoup once again.
They are very collaborative, so we have established a great relationship the
past few years. We really look forward to working together to bring this
important work to life and celebrate SMoCA,” said Julie Ganas, SMoCA’s curator
of programming.
The installation will begin on the south side of the Museum, where it will be
seen by passersby. The artwork will swoop down in front of SMoCA with waves of
light and end on the north side of the building. Part of the installation will
light up the inside of the Nancy and Art Schwalm Courtyard, so it can also be
experienced from inside SMoCA.
After the success of “Ocean of Light: Submergence,” the Museum wants its audience to be a part of bringing “Murmuration” by Squidsoup to SMoCA and will be launching its first crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter. There will be various levels of support, but one of the main rewards for donating is the ability to sponsor a light in “Murmuration.” The campaign will launch on October 1 and run through October 31 and the Museum’s goal is to raise $5,000.
“This
installation will be an important point in SMoCA’s history, being the very
first light-based installation, of this scale, outside of the Museum. During
the daytime, the audio portion of the piece will activate the outdoors and
become part of the landscape, but once dusk hits, the lights will come to life,
careening and swirling around the Museum in synchronization with the audio,”
continued Ganas.
Museumgoers can experience Squidsoup’s installation “Standing Wave” at Canal
Convergence, which uses approximately 600 interconnected orbs of light and
sound to create an immersive audio-visual experience, simulating a wave over
the controlled urban waters of the Arizona Canal.
“Murmuration”
is organized by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Curated by Curator
of Programming Julie Ganas.
Related Programming
All
events take place in SMoCA Lounge unless noted otherwise. Free events at SMoCA
fill quickly and are first come, first served; early arrival is encouraged.
Visit SMoCA.org to RSVP and purchase tickets.
Insight Art Tours
Nov. 1, 2019 – Jan. 17, 2020
Every first and third Friday of the month, 11:30 a.m.
SMoCA curatorial staff and guest artists lead insightful, 15-minute discussions about works of art on view. Free with admission. Schedule may vary on holidays.
Fall Opening Celebration
Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, 7–9 p.m.
Join us to preview the exhibition and celebrate an exciting season at SMoCA! Be the first to explore the new show with artists and other art lovers. Cash bar.
Artist Talk: Squidsoup
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, 7 p.m.
Squidsoup returns to Scottsdale to speak about their installations “Murmuration”and “Standing Wave” at SMoCA and Canal Convergence 2019. Learn the inspiration behind each artwork, and get unique insight into their creative process.
Starry Night | An ARTrageous Gala
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, 5–10 p.m.
Please save the date for the annual ARTrageous Gala, where we will
celebrate 20 years of Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Join us for a
fabulous evening looking back at the founding of SMoCA — a unique and vital
cultural resource for the Southwest — and exploring how its history will help
shape our future.
Proceeds from Starry Night go to support impactful programs at
Scottsdale Arts’ four branches: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts,
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art and
Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation.
For more information and to purchase your tickets, please call Kelly Hicks at 480-874-4662.
SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its partnership with the City of
Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale
Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational
opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts.
Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and
nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an
exceptional variety of programs through four acclaimed branches — Scottsdale
Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale
Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation — serving more than
400,000 participants annually.
SCOTTSDALE MUSEUM OF
CONTEMPORARY ART
Founded in 1999, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary
Art (SMoCA) explores the best of contemporary art, architecture and design.
Global in its focus, the Museum is a unique and vital cultural resource for the
Southwest, serving local audiences as well as visitors from the United States
and abroad. Designed by award-winning architect Will Bruder, SMoCA’s minimalist
building (an ingenious renovation of a former movie theater) has four galleries
for showcasing changing exhibitions and works from the Museum’s collection,
along with SMoCA Lounge, a living, functional art installation and space for
community engagement. The Museum presents a wide variety of educational
programs and special events for adults and families, including lectures,
readings, performances, docent-led tours, workshops and classes. SMoCA also
features an outdoor sculpture garden housing James Turrell’s “Knight Rise,” one of the renowned
artist’s public skyspaces, and “Scrim
Wall,” a monumental curtain of translucent glass panels by James
Carpenter Design Associates. The Museum’s retail store, Shop@SMoCA, offers
classic design objects and furnishings, contemporary jewelry, art and
architecture books, and imaginative gifts for all occasions.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary
Art
7374 E. Second St., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
www.SMoCA.org
480-874-4666
[email protected]
HOURS AND ADMISSION STARTING OCT. 26, 2019
Tuesday – Wednesday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and major holidays
Admission: $10 adults, $7 students, seniors (65+) and veterans; free for members and children under 15
Free every Thursday and every second Saturday of the month
MEDIA: For interviews, digital images or additional information, please contact:
Virginia McInnis
Public Relations Specialist
Scottsdale Arts
Phone: 480-874-4663
Email: [email protected]
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