A year-long collaboration between artists from the US and Vietnam culminates in “River of Many Sides”. This interactive media performance consists of a virtual environment, which brings people together in networked contexts and which provides a context for performance as well as the occasion for individual exploration. “River of Many Sides” addresses ideas of conflict and cooperation, powerful complementary forces in our culture at large and in the life of the individual.

The metaphor of the river journey reflects our countries’ common history and how that history has shaped the identities of both. This compelling experience addresses concepts of cultural understanding using interactive computer systems and features live performers interacting with audio and visual environments, with audience participation at key points of the experience. Presented at the University of Illinois at Chicago, UIC Theater, June 2004 by ArtSynergy.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and by additional funding and support from: Northwestern University: Center for Interdisciplinary Research in the Arts, University Research Grants Committee, and the Center for Global Culture and Communication; Columbia College Chicago; University of Illinois at Chicago: College of Architecture and the Arts, School of Art and Design, and Department of Performing Arts; and The National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum Projection equipment courtesy of: ROSCOR Corp., President Paul Roston.

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