From rainwater traveling through Seattle’s sewer system to water’s healing power, we presents three performance artworks that illustrate how local artists are contributing to the discussion about our local waterways. The performances are part of several temporary artworks commissioned by the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs that address environmental sustainability for The Next Fifty, the 50th anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair.

 

The performances run May 4 through May 27 at Seattle Center. See artwork descriptions below for details. All performances are free.

 

Stokley Towles’ one-man performance Stormwater: Life in the Gutter reveals the world of urban rainfall and traces its travels from the clouds to the city’s streets, homes and businesses and the sewer lines below. Towles weaves interviews, observations and historical research together with images, props and humor to talk about runoff, offering a gutter’s eye view of Seattle’s drainage system and the people who
manage it.

 

The nearly one-hour performance will be at 7 p.m., Fridays, May 4, 11 and 18; and 1 p.m., Saturdays, May 5, 12 and 19 at the construction trailer at the north end of The Next Fifty Plaza, between Center House and the Experience Music Project. Performances will also be 6 p.m., Friday, May 25 and 1 p.m., Saturday, May 26 at  SIFF Cinema.  

 

Mandy Greer, Mater Matrix Mother and Medium Performance
Mandy Greer, choreographer Jessica Jobaris, performance artist Saskia Delores, harpist/composer Monica Schley, dancer Andrea Ives and video artist Rodrigo Valenzuela will create a multi-media performance by Greer’s artwork Mater Matrix Mother and Medium. 

 

Beginning just before dusk, 7 p.m., May 5 and 6, the 45-minute performance will be a luminous exploration of the three states of water. Attendees should meet at Kobe Bell, south of Intiman Theatre;  Key Arena, northwest corner, street level; or the Poetry Garden on the east side of Fisher Pavilion and look for a performer in a blue costume to join a procession to DuPen Fountain.

 

Greer’s crocheted artwork Mater Matrix Mother and Medium will be attached to trees and columns, creating a 250-foot “river” that sits seven to 15 feet off the ground. The evolving artwork will be on view through May 31 at DuPen Fountain and Alki Courtyard. Help create the artwork at one of several crochet workshops.

 

SJ Chiro, Britta Johnson, Susan Robb, Luke Sieczek and Rick Stevenson, Water Calling Short Films
In the Water Calling short films, five filmmakers tap into the flow of water and invite viewers to reflect on the preservation of our water resources—from drinking water through drainage. The short films vary in length and format—from a fairy-tale approach to sci-fi-like images to stop animation to a portrayal of water as a healing force.

 

The 70-minute presentation will run at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 5 and 4 p.m., Sunday, May 6 at Intiman Theatre; and at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 27 at SIFF Cinema.

 

Stormwater: Life in the Gutter is commissioned with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) 1% for Art funds and administered in partnership with 4Culture. Mater Matrix Mother and Medium is commissioned with SPU 1% for Art funds. The Water Calling short films are part of a series of temporary public artworks commissioned in 2009 with SPU 1% for Art funds.