On Wednesday, October 3, Dean Richard Sommer will join Rafael Lozano-Hemmer in discussion at the University of Pennsylvania.

Entitled “Open Air: Richard Sommer and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer in Conversation,” the event is being held in conjunction with the public art project OPEN AIR and has been organized by PennDesign, with the Association for Public Art, and DesignPhiladelphia.

Sommer and Lozano-Hemmer will be introduced by artist Ken Lum, Professor and Director of the Undergraduate Fine Arts Program at PennDesign. Penny Balkin Bach, Artistic and Executive Director of the Association for Public Art, will moderate. Both Dean Sommer  and Lorzano-Hemmer will give presentations prior to their conversation, with Sommer’s lecture situating Philadelphia and Lozano-Hemmer's work within his theory of the Democratic Monument.

Date: Wednesday, October 3
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: PennDesign, University of Pennsylvania

This event is free, but tickets are required. To reserve a ticket, visit: openairpublicart.eventbrite.com

ABOUT OPEN AIR
Combining public art with mobile technology, artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer presents the world premiere of OPEN AIR. Commissioned by the Association for Public Art (aPA), OPEN AIR is an interactive light experience directed by participants’ voices and GPS locations. Two dozen robotic searchlights will respond creating unique light formations in the sky over Philadelphia’s historic Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Inspired by the city’s rich tradition of democracy and respect for free speech, OPEN AIR was created specifically for Philadelphia and for participation by the general public. The artist has addressed safety and environmental considerations in the design of OPEN AIR.