Confluence – A Multimedia Installation & Performance

Join us for the Closing Reception of Rebecca Rutstein’s solo exhibition Socius at Esther Klein Gallery

This evening includes a performance by the Pennsylvania Philharmonic, who will be playing a rendition of “Confluence” – a 5-minute sonic journey accompanying the light and sound sculpture installation “Sub Suriciem”.

This piece is a sonification of data tracking the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths and vaccinations in the city of Philadelphia from March 2020 through May 2021 (all data was obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Health). Each of these data sets was sonified as a separate track and layered, following the rise and fall of cases and deaths, and later, the introduction of the vaccine. The sonified data which uses digital renderings of stringed instruments including bass, cello, viola and violin (developed by the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music in France) was produced through the artistry of Mexican composer Mauricio Rodriguez, NEA fellow and Doctor of Musical Composition from Stanford University, who generously collaborated on this project.

Additionally, Philly-based musician, Frank Masciocchi, also a lab instrumentation engineer at Integral Molecular, contributed recorded tracks of interpretive, percussive guitar that create ambient dissonance and distortion throughout the piece.

Free to attend, no registration is necessary.

This is an in-person, indoor event. Masks Required, Must show proof of vaccination.