FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 28, 2008
CONTACT: Elizabeth Fischtziur - (425) 352-3636 - efischtziur@uwb.edu
BOTHELL, Wash. - The Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (IAS) Program at the University of Washington Bothell hosts environmental artist Byron Au Yong as he brings Kidnapping Water: Bottled Operas to campus on Monday, August 4.
Kidnapping Water is a series of 64 portable operas inspired by the ancient Chinese text I Ching (Book of Changes) and the environment. Running July through August 2008, the series explores the interaction of water and humans throughout the physical environment, from water fountains to rivers to the Puget Sound.
"We are excited about this performance," say IAS Professor and Director Bruce Burgett, "because Byron Au Yong's public work is positioned at the interdisciplinary intersection of environmental science and the performing arts. This type of creative and innovative linkage between art and science is central to several of the new degrees we are launching in fall 2008 in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Interdisciplinary Arts, as well as our new Master of Arts in Cultural Studies."
An opera singer and water drummer will perform Kidnapping Water at two locations in Bothell on Monday, August 4. The 10:00 a.m. performance will be held at the Park at Bothell Landing, and the 11:00 a.m. performance will occur on the boardwalk in the UW Bothell wetlands. Both are free and open to the public.
A Pacific Northwest native, Au Yong is noted for creating ceremonial musical events scored for Asian, European and hand-made instruments. His works have been featured in concert and site-specific locations as diverse as the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg and the Tokyo Art Museum. He is the recipient of multiple honors including the 4Culture Award for Innovation and the National Endowment for the Arts Creativity Award.
About UW Bothell: The University of Washington Bothell was founded in 1990 to serve King and Snohomish counties and north Puget Sound area students seeking bachelor's and master's degrees. UW Bothell offers degree programs in applied computing, business, nursing, education, computing and software systems, interdisciplinary arts and sciences, cultural studies, and policy studies. Applications are still being accepted for Fall quarter.
