Explore 250 miles of the city through sound and satellite with Netherlands-based artist duo, PolakVanBekkum, on Thursday, April 16 at the premiere screening of 250 Miles Crossing Philadelphia.
An array of participants helped the artists navigate through Philadelphia by capturing sounds of every day wanderings and life - - from horses to pilots to postal workers and trolley riders!
Netherlands-based artist duo, PolakVanBekkum, came to Philadelphia by way of an artist residency last year through University City Science Center, and Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority’s Percent for Art Program to work on a navigational documentary, 250 Miles Crossing Philadelphia. Their project and documentary quite literally allows the viewer/listener to experience 250 miles of Philadelphia by sound and satellite.
Esther Polak and Ivar van Bekkum arrived from the Netherlands to work on 250 Miles Crossing Philadelphia in May 2014. Their goal was to explore the intersection of art, science and technology through satellite imagery, photography and GPS. The resulting work includes a website documenting their journey, 250miles.net, with an interactive map; a scrim mural at 780 S. 52nd St.; and a 50-minute location-based documentary film.
Philadelphia residents played a large role in creating this new city narrative. Polak and van Bekkum divided the city into a grid and asked volunteers to make recordings from each sector. These routes were expressed in the documentary film using Google Earth satellite images, overlaid with synchronized on-the-ground recordings, to create an audible map of the city.
The evening will formally conclude PolakVanBekkum’s residency with the University City Science Center’s novel public art program, Art Along the Avenue of Technology (AAAT). The Science Center created AAAT as an innovative way to fulfill its Percent for Art obligation, which requires that at least one percent of the budget for new construction is used for commissioning original works of art.
All attendees will be automatically entered into a raffle at a chance to win: Esther's Vintage Schwinn (used during her time in Philadelphia) or an original drawing by PolakVanBekkum.
Join us afterwards (at a closeby bar, location TBA), for drinks and light appetizers, mingling, and some extra time with the Esther and Ivar!
Tickets (suggested donation)*: $5.00 advance; $10.00 door
*All ticket proceeds will benefit public art in Philadelphia.
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