Thrival Interactive sees future of art, fused with technology
What does the art of the future look like? The Thrival Interactive aims to explore that question by presenting an array of technologyinfused performances and exhibits at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Oakland on Wednesday from 7 to 11 p.m.
Thrival has partnered with more than a dozen local and international organizations to bring the third annual Interactive to life. Exhibits include sculptures made from television sets, an audiencedriven orchestra of tech instruments, virtual reality fighting games, a silent disco and more.
The Interactive is part of the larger Thrival Festival, a three-day exploration of live music, art encounters and technology, culture and community presentations, workshops and excursions. Thrival is organized by the East Liberty nonprofit Ascender, which provides support and networking opportunities to Pittsburgh startups.
“The Interactive is really an arts and technology playground for adults,” said Jenny Sharpe, Thrival’s program director.
She said Pittsburgh’s reputation as a technology hub and the strength of its arts organizations make it a prime city for this endeavor.
“Part of the Thrival Festival’s history has been conversations about the newest technologies and how they’ll affect us in culture and the workplace,” Ms. Sharpe said. “It’s easy to be negative about tech and AI sucking up jobs, but artists and creators are using new technology to create worlds.”
Matt Hyre, who lives in Hampton, is one of the local artists participating in the Interactive. Working with his partner, Nicole Caicedo, he is using technology to sculpt a tribute to Andy Warhol titled “Warhol.mov.” The 12-foot-tall installation will re-create the famous Warhol self-portrait using eight television screens, each showing an original still life video a la Warhol.
“I’ve always wanted this city to grow with its arts and music,” Mr. Hyre said in a phone interview. “Thrival is an amazing way to put Pittsburgh on the map as a destination city for art and technology .... It shows you how much the city wants this sort of stuff.”
Other programs at the event include an augmented reality mural by the international group Heavy; it comes alive when viewed through a phone app pointed at
different parts of the mural.
There will also be a digital orchestra using collaborative experimental electronic musical instruments developed by Pittsburgh artist Gil Teixeira that will allow audience members to join in using devices that are easy to play. Matt Butler, conductor of the internationally renowned Everyone Orchestra and a speaker at this year’s Thrival Innovation Summit, will lead participants in a workshop and performance.
Attack Theatre will perform an interactive dance performance, and Film Pittsburgh will screen short films that challenge viewers’ conceptions of the future.
“We wanted to push people to think in different ways,” Ms. Sharpe said. “Anyone who’s never come to an art show can enjoy this.”
Interactive tickets are $10-$15 at eventbrite.com. For a full list of exhibits, visit thrivalfestival.com.
Jeremy Reynolds: jreynolds@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1634; twitter: @Reynolds_PG. Mr. Reynolds’ work at the Post-Gazette is supported by a grant from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Getty Foundation and Rubin Institute.