AUSTIN OPERA PREMIERES ‘A MASKED BALL’ WITH MASSIVE 3-D VIDEO PROJECTION
Two-Story Tall Projection Art Piece Placed on Long Center Terrace Lights Up the Night for Public Viewing
AUSTIN – November 8, 2014 – Austin Opera is debuting its 2014-15 season opening production “A Masked Ball” with a larger-than-life video art installation in the middle of The Long Center terrace for all of Austin to see. The installation uses the newest technology in 3-D projection mapping to create life-like art scenes wrapped around a two-story tall custom-welded steel mask sculpture positioned on the terrace.
The video projections can be seen nightly from 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Saturday, November 8 through Saturday November 15 on the terrace of The Long Center. The installation and terrace access is free and open to the public.
“The theme for this year’s season is the mask, representing the drama, passion and intrigue behind each of the productions. This art piece connects the operatic art form to our original production of “A Masked Ball,” which is using projection-based set designs. It also connects us to other artists in the community we don’t typically get the chance to work with,” said Austin Opera General Director Joseph Specter. “Many people have come together on this project–Ilios Lighting Design helped us realize our vision, the steel mask sculpture by Brady Foster Metalworks is simply breathtaking, and our branding partner Arrow brought us a concept that underscores the artistic quality Austin Opera brings to The Long Center stage. This project represents the wonderful connectedness of Austin’s creative community joining together to bring a fun, energetic and free display to the public.”
Who: Austin Opera
What: Premiere of Austin Opera’s 28th season with larger-than-life video art installation
When: Nightly, from 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.,
Saturday, November 8 – Saturday, November 15
Where: The terrace of The Long Center for the Performing Arts
Visuals: 3-D video projections on a 15’ by 20’ mask in the middle of The Long Center terrace; Opera-goers viewing video projection on Saturday, November 8 and Thursday, November 13; Pedestrians and visitors viewing the video projections
More information about the 2014-15 season can be found at AustinOpera.org. Social media images and video of the mask video art installation can be found using #AustinOpera.
About Austin Opera
Founded in May 1986 as Austin’s first professional opera company, Austin Opera has become a cultural touchstone for the fine arts community in the Central Texas region and has gained national acclaim as a producer of great opera. Austin Opera is committed to producing and promoting outstanding opera that will entertain, enrich and educate the central Texas community. Austin Opera is a cultural destination for the community that delivers an extraordinary experience; is a creative environment that challenges the misconceptions of the art form; enables lifelong learning; and celebrates the diversity that makes Austin unique. Austin Opera productions consistently garner national and international praise for production value, vocal artistry, repertoire selection, and the leadership of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Richard Buckley. For more information about Austin Opera, please visit AustinOpera.org.