FPAA Receives NEA Grant to Support “Open Air” by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer
November 17, 2011

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has announced that the Fairmount Park Art Association will receive a $45,000 grant to support the installation of artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s Open Air on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Open Air will be the world premiere of an interactive public art project created specifically for Philadelphia by acclaimed new media artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Using a free custom-made app, participants will use their voices and GPS positions to activate 24 powerful robotic searchlights placed along a half-mille section of the Parkway – creating enormous three-dimensional light formations in the night sky. The project is scheduled to be the kick-off event for the 2012 Philadelphia Live Arts & Philly Fringe Festival.

The NEA press release and a complete list of grantees can be viewed here.