This fall, Montclair State University’s Peak Performances at the Alexander Kasser Theater will host an unusual outdoor sonic/light installation in which the public will be invited to create ’round-the-clock performance art. Designed by Christopher Janney, an innovative jazz musician, visual artist and architect, Everywhere is the Best Seat will open on September 1 and run through November 14.
The user-friendly interactive work, comprised of 36 columns equipped with sensors, will be available for passersby to produce their own sounds and light, each one bringing new vibrant life to the space, 24 hours a day, seven days a week — for free. If you’ve seen the movie Big, you might recall the scene when Tom Hanks and his boss play a giant keyboard at the toy store F.A.O. Schwartz. That’s the same idea behind Everywhere Is the Best Seat.
Known for his interactive installations and performances which are intended to make architecture more spontaneous and music more physical, Janney has a long history of creating sonic and light environments in existing public spaces. His previous work Sonic Forest was a source of mass delight at locations around the country, including the 2008 All Points West festival at Liberty State Park, where it enticed a constant stream of concert goers to create different sounds and light. Janney also designed a sound stairway for the Boston Museum of Science, which makes musical notes as people move up and down the stairs. You can also see his urban musical instruments in the New York City subway station at 34th Street and 6th Avenue and the international concourse of the Miami airport. Now, Montclair State will have it’s own, original work, and they’re hoping it will be filled with lots of people exploring ways to make the installation work its magic.
Commissioned by Peak Performances, Janney was inspired to create this particular exhibition by a quote from musician John Cage, “Everything you do is music/And everywhere is the best seat.” John Cage’s bon mot is in keeping with his view that he was wireless –as are we all. Each participant can move anywhere within the amphitheater and still be connected to the whole entity. The installation, like Janney’s other work is about people interacting with technology, like it is alive.
Construction on the unique exhibit started Monday and the columns, now lying in wait on the ground, will soon stand up and down the 80-year-old WPA-built amphitheater, waiting for people to wake them from stagnancy and bring life to the installation.
Other events scheduled for the fall include “Architecture of the Air: The Sound and Light Environments of Christopher Janney,” which will run Mondays through Fridays, noon to 6 p.m. On performance dates, it will be open from 10 a.m. until curtain. The exhibit will be located in the Kasser Theater lobby and will be free.
On Sept. 11 at 10pm, there will be a live performance called “Disembodied Instruments” featuring Christopher Janney, Stan Strickland, and vocalists Dave Revels and Jimmy Hayes of The Persuasions. The event is also free.
A documentary screening of “What is a Heart?” will take place on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at Kasser Theater. Admission is free, but advanced reservations are required. Reserve tickets online here, or call the box office at 973-655-5112.
For a complete list of Kasser Theater’s Peak Performance schedule, click here.
Story by Kristie Cattafi and Erika Bleiberg
Architect’s rendering of Everywhere Is the Best Seat© 2009, PhenomenArts, Inc.
Christopher Janney, Artistic Director
This sounds really cool, but did anyone else notice that every other place this has been installed has been a park, subway station, or museum where there are no neighbors?
I’m assuming someone took this into consideration already, but if not I sure feel bad for those students/neighbors living within earshot 24/7.
So, how loud is this thing? I mean, the amphitheater is right next to an academic building and not far from the library.
Skeptical and SpanktownKid, I was up at the installation yesterday, which is still just in its early stages, with lots of wires and technical stuff going on. I spoke with the project manager about this very issue. The sounds are like a natural “orchestra” (like bird chirps and such) and won’t carry much beyond the “stage” of the amphitheater. It shouldn’t be detectible by any residents or in classes or offices. Passersby might hear it, but not in a loud way, more like undertones. They say you really have to be within the installation to experience the sounds. Check it out when its up and send us your impression.