The Joplin Project
- Michelle Lopez
- Weitzman School of Design (PennDesign)
- Provosts Interdisciplinary Grant
Michelle Lopez will present “The Joplin Project,” a multi-disciplinary animation/sound performance piece at the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, in Spring 2020. “The Joplin Project” explores the physical and psychological impact of epic natural disasters with man-made technological ones. It will be presented in the Fels Planetarium in the Franklin Institute (in collaboration with Cole Akers, Glass House Foundation). At its center, the artist plans to install a circular platform for the central placement of a robot, whose movements will be choreographed in response/reaction to the image of a storm being projected. Violists will be within the space, but hidden. Padded circular ottomans with neck and back supports will be designed so viewers can look at the spectacle above with comfort and be immersed into the visual and aural experience.