2014 Artist-in-Residence explores Canyons of the Ancients National Monument through multimedia presentation
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DOLORES, Colo.— The public is invited to watch a multimedia composition created by 2014 Artist-in-Residence Dr. William Pfaff that traverses the archaeological wonders of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
The program features original music, photos, recorded interviews, embedded text, scientific citations, historical information and preservation messages. The free event begins at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colo.
Pfaff is the first 2014 Artist-in-Residence to immerse himself in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Annually, selected artists spend a week absorbing their surroundings, creating art in response to the experience and then share their vision and techniques with visitors.
Pfaff’s presentation will couple onsite recordings and music with photographs that he took throughout the monument. He hopes the viewer is drawn into an enveloping aesthetic experience and learns about the fragile nature of the natural and cultural resources.
Pfaff is a professor of music at Plattsburgh State University of New York. His works were performed in Cairo, Egypt, New York City, Boston, Phoenix, Atlanta and Miami. Additionally, his music was featured at High Point University, Stony Brook University, Radford University, Winston-Salem State University, Gettysburg College, University of New Hampshire and University of North Carolina Charlotte. His music is also regularly programmed at the Warebrook Contemporary Music Festival (Northeast Kingdom) and Plattsburgh SUNY.
The Artist-in-Residence program promotes awareness of the exceptional places protected within the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System. Artists are selected on the basis of both artistic merit and public outreach proposals. Their presentations provide opportunities for learning and dialogue about the value of preserving public lands. Participants donate digital copies of completed artwork to the BLM for future use in posters, exhibitions or interpretive programs.
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument encompasses thousands of archaeological sites, including 13 Ancestral Puebloan settlements identified for visitors. Created in 2000, it is believed to have the highest number and density of archaeological sites of any landscape in the United States.
For more information, go to https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/canyons-of-the-ancients or call 970-882-5600.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.