Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 10/1/18

Street festival integrating architectural landmark with innovative light-art, hip-hop music, and dance to celebrate German-American friendship in Atlanta

Friday, October 5th from 6 pm to 10 pm

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library in Margaret Mitchell Square

Complimentary Admission

A highly collaborative and innovative approach to celebrating German-American relations in Atlanta will be reflected in a street festival at the Atlanta-Fulton Central Public Library. The last structure designed by Bauhaus-movement architect Marcel Breuer, the stark minimalism of the brutalist library building will interact with the dynamic motion of “Superposition,” a light show created by German artist collective URBANSCREEN — accompanied by the fresh and passionate choreography of young local dancers from Dance 411. URBANSCREEN has titled their light show “Superposition” because the projection will be executed from different positions, coming together to a unique projection mapping. Underscored by the driving beats of hip-hop and experimental music that embody Atlanta’s thriving music scene, URBANSCREEN’s bold artistic exploration of the German-American relationship integrates architecture with digital art, dance, and music to unite several universal languages that transcend geographical definitions. As a special part of the street festival, Wiesn in a Box – a mobile mini Oktoberfest – will be offering Hofbräu beer and pretzels in its first of many stops along a nationwide tour. “Fulton County is very pleased to be a partner in this creative and very futuristic project that highlights the importance of public art to enriching the lives of our residents,” remarks Lionell Thomas, Director of Fulton County Arts and Culture.

“Superposition” is one of three installations comprising “Light-Art Meets German Architecture,” a public art series that will kick off the Year of German-American Friendship (Deutschlandjahr). A nationwide collaborative effort of the Goethe-Institut, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Deutschlandjahr brings together a diverse range of creative and innovative minds to present cultural events throughout 2018 and 2019. Each event, series, or exhibition explores German-American relations using a different unique approach. With “Superposition,” Bremen-based artist collective URBANSCREEN’s inventive way of commemorating Deutschlandjahr emphasizes the cooperation of many partners from a spectrum of artistic backgrounds, staging an experience that distinctively evokes the intersections of modern dance, popular music, historic architecture, and technology as art. The extensive collaboration involved in planning this event will also serve as a meditation on German-American friendship.

“Light-Art Meets German Architecture” features three iconic architectural structures in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Indianapolis, each notably related to the overarching theme of German-American relations. Beginning with the residence of the German ambassador in Washington, URBANSCREEN will produce mixed-media experiences that involve displaying light-art narratives on the outer façades of the chosen buildings. From dazzling light shows to digital artwork projections, these installations will merge multiple intersecting art forms, encouraging American audiences to take a closer look at how German architecture in the United States reflects the relationship between these two nations.

This event is organized by the Goethe-Institut as part of the initiative “Year of German-American Friendship” in 2018/19. A heartfelt thank you goes to the local partners, especially the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Fulton County Arts and Culture.

The Goethe-Institut Washington is a center for German culture and language. It reaches out to both organizations and individuals in the community, bridging the past, present, and future with a variety of high-quality cultural Programs.

The mobile Oktoberfest “Wiesn in a Box” will be toasting to many continued years of transatlantic friendship. Updates can be followed on Instagram @wiesninabox.

#WunderbarTogether