Critically acclaimed ‘Hard Rain Project’ to deliver message of sustainability on SU campus April 21-June 5

Critically acclaimed ‘Hard Rain Project’ to deliver message of sustainability on SU campus April 21-June 5April 21, 2009Erica Blustesblust@syr.edu

The “Hard Rain Project,” a critically acclaimed photo essay on environmental issues by photographer Mark Edwards and inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, will bring its message of sustainability to the Syracuse University campus April 21-June 5 on the south lawn of Crouse College. The exhibition is presented by the Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).

First launched in 2006 and seen by more than 10 million people in 30 countries, the “Hard Rain” exhibition deals with such issues as climate change, poverty, habitat loss and human rights. Bandier students will lead the installation’s construction this morning (Tuesday, April 21) as part of SU Showcase; Edwards will be on campus to participate in a panel discussion on the environment from 10-10:45 a.m. in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory. For more information about the event, visit http://sushowcase.syr.edu.

Designed by VPA museum studies graduate student Jackie Finnegan in consultation with the Syracuse Center of Excellence, the SU installation will present the 60-meter-long “Hard Rain” banners on recycled and recyclable shipping pallets to drastically reduce its carbon footprint. SU’s Burton Blatt Institute and Office of Disability Services were also consulted to ensure universal accessibility.

In addition to SU Showcase, the installation of “Hard Rain” coincides with Earth Day (April 22), SU Commencement Weekend (May 9-10) and World Environment Day (June 5). A podcast about “Hard Rain” at SU is available at http://vpa.syr.edu/index.cfm/page/bandier-hard-rain.

London-based Edwards is a widely published editorial photographer who founded Still Pictures, which is regarded as the leading photo agency specializing in environmental issues. He is the author of “Hard Rain: Our Headlong Collision with Nature” (Hard Rain Project, 2006), co-author of “Changing Consciousness” (Harpercollins, 1991), and has also written several books on photography. For more information about Edwards and “Hard Rain,” visit http://www.hardrainproject.com/about.htm.

Additional support for “Hard Rain” at SU was provided by SU Showcase; COLAB and Chris McCray, COLAB mad scientist; Carole Brzozowski, University performing arts presenter; the Burton Blatt Institute; and Enitiative (the Syracuse Campus-Community Entrepreneurship Initiative), which is funded by a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

VPA is committed to the education of cultural leaders who will engage and inspire audiences through performance, visual art, design, scholarship and commentary. The college provides the tools for self-discovery and risk-taking in an environment that thrives on critical thought and action. Learn more at http://vpa.syr.edu.