WRITTEN BY ZACHARY WILCOX
In 2008, Mason Community Arts Academy (“MCAA”, formerly known as Potomac Arts Academy) started a green initiative and outreach program named “Instruments in the Attic”. This program takes in old & unused musical instruments donated by generous community members with the idea of bringing as many as possible back to working order for deserving students of all ages to enjoy and play for years to come. Since its creation, Instruments in the Attic has brought in over 850 instruments, returning many back to the community for further use… but not all instruments are able to be repaired. One of the primary goals of the program is to keep these instruments out of the landfill, so we needed to find another green solution for these irreparable instruments.
MCAA thought about how to recycle these instruments in a more artistic and meaningful way, which sparked an idea to collaborate with the Patriot Green Fund (part of Mason’s Office of Sustainability) and Mason’s School of Art. We figured that these instruments could be “up-cycled” into sculpture art projects which told a story, powered by a STEAM approach. School of Art Associate Professor Edgar Endress had an even more innovative idea. He invited Dr. Daniel Lofaro from the Volgenau School of Engineering to assist him in constructing an orchestra of automated sound sculptures using new (and old) media technology balanced with influences of 20th century Russian Constructivist art , amongst other styles, forms, and ideas. Special funding from the Patriot Green Fund helped to facilitate this unique undertaking.
EVENT: Come and see the “Narrative Machine” sculpture prototypes on display
Overall, this is a long-term project involving several steps. However, the fruits of step one are complete! The sculpture prototypes of this data-fueled, artistic adventure are currently on display in Mason’s Center for the Arts Lobby through mid-February.
The exhibit is getting a lot of buzz, with articles already included in the Center for the Arts newsletter and featured on Mason’s newsletter The George, plus an upcoming article in Mason’s Office of Sustainability newsletter. Read the articles below to learn more, and come interact with these instruments – be a part of “The Narrative Machine”!
SEE ARTICLE FROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS