SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Scottsdale Arts’ Canal Convergence will explore the profound importance of reflections in both literal and metaphorical realms through engaging public art, performances and programming from Nov. 8–17, 2024, at the Scottsdale Waterfront.
The free, 10-night event features large-scale public artworks created by artists from around the world alongside live music and dance performances, creative workshops, educational tours and activities, food trucks, a mini film festival and a beer and wine garden. In addition to the event’s perennial focus on interactivity, sustainability and the union of water, art and light, this year's theme is “Reflections.”
Jennifer Gill, deputy director of Canal Convergence, said the theme delves into the multifaceted nature of reflection — from its fundamental role in how we physically see the world around us to its insightful psychological implications.
“Through captivating artworks like this year's featured suspended art installation, ‘Molecules’ by The Urban Conga, we invite attendees to explore the transformative power of reflection in shaping their perceptions and understanding of the world,” Gill said.
With Canal Convergence taking place days after the 2024 presidential election, it will be a poignant time for individuals to pause, contemplate and engage with the artworks, fostering introspection, dialogue and unity in the midst of a changing world. In short, this will be an opportune time to reflect and let this year’s artwork be your guide.
“Molecules” by The Urban Conga, a Brooklyn, New York-based, award-winning, multidisciplinary design studio focused on sparking community interaction and social activity, will be suspended above the Arizona Canal as a series of broken-down water molecules. In marked locations, the lighting within the molecules can be controlled by the volume of people’s voices. This interaction encourages viewers to engage with the artwork by creating different sounds that would then illuminate the work in unique ways.
The Urban Conga founder and creative director Ryan Swanson said that “Molecules” uses physical, playful reflection to spark an internal self-reflective consciousness to process the impact we have on the world around us.
“We are excited for the public to not only engage with the work but also to use the work to connect with one another and the surrounding landscape in new ways,” Swanson said. “’Molecules’ provides a platform for communal connection through creating open-ended playful opportunities along the canal. We are excited for people to use the work as a moment of self-reflection to think about how much our individual selves can directly impact others and our surrounding environment.”
The Canal Convergence Mini Film Festival, which debuted in 2023, will also return to the event on Nov. 15 and 16 with selections that align with the 2024 theme. This series will screen short films that explore the concept of physical and psychological reflections and address Canal Convergence's annual themes.
"The Canal Convergence Mini Film Fest is really an opportunity to broaden not only the spectrum of art we feature at the event each year but also what art looks like for us beyond the context of physical artwork,” said Kiara Brown, event coordinator for Canal Convergence. “Filmgoers can expect to experience a variety of short films ranging from comedy to romance to animation and everything else in between."
In the coming months, additional Canal Convergence artworks and information about performances, workshops and other aspects of the event will be announced and added to the event website at CanalConvergence.com.
Canal Convergence is made possible with the support of many partners and sponsors, including the City of Scottsdale, Billie Jo Herberger, SRP, Nationwide, Christine and Richard Kovach, Scottsdale Fashion Square, Waymo, Magnum Electric Bikes, Darren Jeffrey, Dollar Radio Rentals and others.
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SCOTTSDALE ARTS — CANAL CONVERGENCE
Scottsdale Arts is a regionally and nationally significant, multidisciplinary arts organization, offering an exceptional variety of programs through its six departments: Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE. Scottsdale Arts creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and outreach opportunities for the community while fostering active engagement with the arts among individuals, businesses, educational institutions and government agencies. Canal Convergence is an annual, free, 10-night event, featuring light-based and interactive artworks from local, national and international artists alongside creative workshops, educational tours, live music and dance performances, and food and drink vendors at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The mission of Canal Convergence is to provide an authentic and immersive art experience in and around the Arizona Canal.
MEDIA: For interviews, digital photographs or additional information please contact:
Sydney Ritter
Senior Communications Specialist
Scottsdale Arts
Email: SydneyR@ScottsdaleArts.org
Phone: 480-874-4663
Brian Passey
Senior Communications Manager
Scottsdale Arts
Phone: 480-874-4626
Email: BrianP@ScottsdaleArts.org
