Astrology Orchestra and Weekend of Events in Joshua Tree

The Integratron
2477 Belfield Boulevard
Landers, CA 92285
November 17, 2012

Performances at 4:30pm, 5:15pm, and 6:00pm

On Saturday, November 17, 2012, LAND  presented a performance of Katie Grinnan’s Astrology Orchestra: a multi-platform performance project at the Integratron in Landers, CA. Grinnan is a Los Angeles-based artist who often presents projects in multiple sites to investigate the effect of perception in relation to various contexts and how this shapes the viewers’ understanding of her work. The project uses the system of astrology to map out the artist’s birth chart from the perspective of the planets in the solar system. These charts served as a template for Grinnan to create unique stringed instruments, each representing a different planetary perspective of the same moment in time, though each chart is radically different due to the planets’ position in space. Furthermore, the note of the string at the diameter of each sculpture correlates to the frequency of the planetary spin. Various members of Grinnan’s artist community were cast according to their astrological sign to play the instruments simultaneously as a symphony. A metronome serves as the conductor for the performance while the performers circumnavigate through the zodiac cycle playing the planetary transits. These instruments had been previously activated through orchestral presentations at the Mount Wilson Observatory and the Venice Beach Biennial in conjunction with the Hammer Museum’s Made in L.A. 2012.

In spring 2014 LAND will present a culminating exhibition at Human Resources in Los Angeles. This exhibition will present the sculptural instruments and astrological charts and diagrams, which emphasize Grinnan’s vision and process, along with two installations of high definition video projections. These video projections will be comprised of footage from the past performances of the Astrology Orchestra from the Integratron, and the 60″ telescope at Mount Wilson. Both of these projections will be dome-shaped to form a complete circle, echoing the architecture of the spaces in which the original performances took place and the shape of the instruments and the planets. An additional video piece will detail the performance of the Astrology Orchestra at Venice Beach.

Grinnan lives and works in Los Angeles and is represented by Brennan and Griffin in New York.

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Performers:

Sun – Noah Wolf – Leo
Mercury – Joey Kötting – Gemini
Venus – Alice Könitz – Libra
Earth – Katie Grinnan – Virgo
Mars – Claude Collins-Stracensky – Aries
Jupiter – Tim Rogeberg – Sagittarius
Saturn – Sue Maing – Capricorn
Uranus – Christian Tedeschi – Aquarius
Neptune – Liza McLaughlin – Pisces
Pluto – Farrah Karapetian – Libra
Triangle – Rob Ebeltoft

WEEKEND ITINERARY

Friday, November 16:

8pm: Karaoke Night at the Joshua Tree Saloon
Join LAND for drinks, snacks, and songs at the Joshua Tree Saloon!

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Saturday, November 17:

SUGGESTED BRUNCH RESTAURANTS:

Crossroads Café
Joshua Tree Saloon
Pappy and Harriet’s
29 Palms Inn

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES:

6am-2pm: Sky Village Swap Meet
Bargain and barter for loot at this historic swap meet in Yucca Valley. There is a café with coffee and snacks for a bite while you shop!

10am and 1pm: Ranger-led Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
Take a hike with a ranger for $5.00 to Keys Ranch. Hikes are limited to 25 people and reservations should be made in advance.

11am-3pm: High Desert Test Sites Headquarters
Visit the HDTS Headquarters to find out about current and upcoming projects in the desert.

All day: Noah Purifoy Foundation
Take a tour of the outdoor sculpture museum of assemblage artist Noah Purifoy. Call the foundation for directions and more information at (213) 382-7516.

4:30pm, 5:15pm, and 6:00pm: LAND presents Katie Grinnan’s Astrology Orchestra at The Integratron
Please visit Matt Ventimiglia with his telescope for star and planet gazing at The Integratron before or after you view the performance! (Weather permitting)

8pm: After Party
Join LAND for an after party to celebrate Katie Grinnan’s performance! Location information will be provided upon RSVP.

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Sunday, November 18:

12pm: Sound Bath at The Integratron
Join LAND for a private Sound Bath for $25.00 (LAND Members are free) at The Integratron. “The Sound Bath is a 60-minute sonic healing session that you can experience while resting comfortably in the deeply resonant, multi-wave sound chamber. A sequence of quartz crystal singing bowls are played for you, each one keyed to the energy centers or chakras of the body, where sound is nutrition for the nervous system.”

1pm: LAND Brunch at Crossroads Café
Join LAND for a prix fixe brunch at Crossroads Café.

10am and 1pm:Ranger-led Hike in Joshua Tree National Park
Take a hike with a ranger for $5.00 to Keys Ranch. Hikes are limited to 25 people and reservations should be made in advance.

11am-3pm: High Desert Test Sites Headquarters
Visit the HDTS Headquarters to find out about current and upcoming projects in the desert.

All day: Noah Purifoy Foundation
Take a tour of the outdoor sculpture museum of assemblage artist Noah Purifoy. Call the foundation for directions at (213) 382-7516.

WHERE TO STAY:

Hicksville Trailer Palace & Artist Retreat
Circle C Lodge – Special Rate for LAND guests
High Desert Motel – Special Rate for LAND guests
29 Palms Inn
Rimrock Ranch Cabins
Harmony Motel
Pioneertown Motel
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
Best Western