UVP celebrates 40th anniversary of moon landing with a space-themed film extravaganza

UVP celebrates 40th anniversary of moon landing with a space-themed film extravaganzaJuly 15, 2009Jemeli Tanuijetanui@syr.edu

Central New York residents and visitors are invited to enjoy short, space-themed videos at the Urban Video Project’s (UVP) Monroe Building location, 333 E. Onondaga St. in downtown Syracuse, from 9–11 p.m. on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. UVP is a cultural innovation designed to activate public spaces along the Connective Corridor.

The two-night film event is a collaborative effort of UVP and WCNY to host a memorable Syracuse celebration of the 40^th anniversary of the 1969 moon landing. Kendall Phillips, host of WCNY’s “Classic Movie Night” and associate professor of communication and rhetorical studies in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening shows.

Guests will be enthralled with a wide range of film imagery projected against a 3,600-square-foot wall—from sci-fi classics such as “A Trip to the Moon”by Georges Melies, “Planet Outlaws” by Norman Hall and “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe” by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor, to documentaries such as “Syracuse to Manhattan Flyover” and “Journey Through the Planets,”featuring live footage and content from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The images will be accompanied by sound—for the first time at a UVP installation—via technology and equipment from Syracuse-based Presentation Concepts.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity to gather together to celebrate an important milestone in space technology and our shared history by enjoying films and documentaries beamed on a big outdoor venue using emerging technology,” says Denise Heckman, UVP academic director and associate professor of industrial and interaction design in VPA.

Space Week Playlist

Friday, July 17:

· “A Trip to the Moon”(1902) by Georges Melies

· “Ranger 9 Moon Landing” by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

· “First Steps on the Moon” by PBS

Saturday, July 18:

· “Syracuse to Manhattan Flyover” by NASA

· “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe” (1940) by Beebe/Taylor

· “Journey Through the Planets”by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

· “Saturn’s Titan Moon Landing”by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

· “Planet Outlaws” (1953) by Norman Hall

From Sunday, July 19, to Wednesday, July 22, space-related video content will continue to run at the Monroe Building site but without sound.

About the Urban Video Project

The Urban Video Project is an initiative of Syracuse University with technology provided by Time Warner Cable. First established in 2007 by the student artist team Avalanche Collective in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, UVP has developed into one of the first permanent series of urban projection installations in the United States. UVP projects artwork daily from dusk to 11 p.m. throughout the year.

High-definition projection systems are used to project collections of video, photography, animation and poetry. UVP currently has three venues along the Connective Corridor in downtown Syracuse: UVP Syracuse Stage at 820 E. Genesee St.; UVP Monroe at 333 E. Onondaga St.; and UVP OHA at the Onondaga Historical Association Museum at 321 Montgomery St.

UVP provides a unique visual arts opportunity for the entire Syracuse community to showcase their work. UVP features work by professional artists, arts organizations, students and local residents. SU offers regular workshops to encourage participation and submissions.

To learn more about UVP, visit http://www.urbanvideoproject.com/.

For updates on upcoming installations, also visit UVP on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Syracuse-NY/Urban-Video-Project/78190717963?ref=s.