The PULSE Art + Technology Festival is where visitors can find themselves in the pages of a comic book, animate interactive paintings with their body movements, and use their smartphone to read music written on the museum's walls. Marking its 10 year at Telfair Museums’ Jepson Center, the festival offers wildly inventive, interactive technology-based art from January 27-31.
 
Known for its innovative art experiences and hands-on workshops, the festival includes exhibitions, artist talks, performances, youth workshops and programs. Avant-garde visual artists from around the world present electrifying performances and give lectures that connect audiences with new media art. PULSE is fun for all ages and includes a family day brimming with activities, performance, and demonstrations of tech projects by local schools including STEM Academy, St. Andrews and Armstrong’s FashTech project.
 
“People often use technology as a way of seeing themselves, entertaining themselves and connecting to others,” said PULSE curator Harry DeLorme. “PULSE 2016 allows audiences to see themselves in interactive artworks and participate as collaborators and creators. The festival features not only work by visionary creators from around the world but work produced in local studios and schools. We have local students in K-12 education creating wearable technology, videogames and virtual reality experiences, all of which will be on view at PULSE.”
 
Admission—Changes this year

Admission to PULSE during the day is free and open to the public. New this year is a PULSE Pass which offers four evenings of lively interactive performances and demonstrations. The PULSE Pass, required for entry to the evening events, is free for members and $15 for non-members. It can be purchased online at Telfair.org/PULSE or on site at the Jepson Center.  Early arrival for PULSE evening events is recommended, as seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis
 
The Schedule
More information for the event-packed festival can be found online at Telfair.org/PULSE.
 
Some of the highlights:
·         The exhibition, I’ll be Your Mirror: Interactive Reflections brings together five recent interactive art installations that allow participants to see their images reflected and transformed in real time. (On display throughout the festival)
 
·         Another exhibit Formats No. 1 and No. 2: Interactive Sound Installations by Foo/Skou, features the work of musicians and visual artists Louise Foo and Martha Skou who use digital technology and analog techniques as a means for the audience to interact intuitively with sound. (On display throughout the festival)
 
·         The opening night lecture and performances on Jan. 27 at 6 pm feature L.A.-based artist Nova Jiang, who will give the audience a chance to become characters in a generative graphic novel as well as other interactive activities. The evening event also features Danish-born musicians and interaction designers Louise Foo and Martha Skou. After the lecture enjoy a performance by DJ C Powers and local musicians and interactive projections by Florida artist Keith Roberson. (PULSE pass required.) See photo 1 attached.
 
·         Back by popular demand, the 2nd Savannah International GIF Festival organized by Art Rise showcases the best digital animation set to live music by local performers on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 6 pm. (PULSE pass required.)  
 
·         Acclaimed artist Daniel Rozin, one of the world’s foremost creators of interactive art, will lecture on Friday, Jan. 29 at 6 pm. Rozin is known for his mechanical mirror installations. On the same evening, the Medeology Collective, a PULSE mainstay, will offer a live, interactive media installation using a webcam video feeds and audio to create an interactive fun house mirror. (PULSE pass required.) See photo 2 attached.
 
·         A performance by Helado Negro (Roberto Carlos Lange), a rising star in contemporary music and art, headlines the festival with a concert on Jan. 30 at 7 pm. With a degree in Computer Art and Animation from SCAD, Lange, this multifaceted creator works in mediums such as video, sculpture, sound and performance, serving as a one-man band for the digital age. Helado Negro has performed internationally at major concert venues as well as art museums. He has opened for and collaborated with musicians such as Sufjan Stevens. (PULSE pass required.) See photo 3 attached.
 
·         PULSE Free Family Day, on Jan. 30 from 1-4 pm, presents interactive art for all ages, artist demonstrations, and projects by local makers and students that combine art and technology. An interactive dance performance will kick the program off at 1pm (Admission is free for all members of the family.)