Astral Convertible Stage Set April 15, 2011

'Astral Convertible' was a 1989 dance piece by the famous choreographer Trisha Brown, with costumes and the original set designed by the artist Robert Rauschenberg. The set consisted of eight interactive light and sound towers that responded to the motion of the dancers. Faculty from the University of Illinois Departments of Dance and Theater and from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), reimagined the set and rebuilt it for the 21st century, as part of the 2010 February Dance restaging of 'Astral Convertible' held at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. New technologies such as wireless communication systems, remote control music players, and advanced projection surface plastics were incorporated into U of I artists' reinterpretation of this classic dance set and score. When Trisha Brown saw it, she called it "the most beautiful set anyone has ever created for one of my dances." Museum visitors can see, hear, and interact with the 'Astral Convertible' set in the lower gallery. This current installation, conceived by John Toenjes, associate professor of Dance, also includes documentary material relating to these past performances.