Green Memories

A WOW Work in Process presentation

The Green Memories installation is an immersive experience that blends evocative real and algorithmically generated visuals and music, creating a meditation on the fragile relationship between humanity and nature.

The piece is inspired by the poetry of Forough Farrokhzad, who has been hailed as one of the most important contemporary poets of Iran.  Farrokhzad’s writing is revered for her depth of feeling and poignant philosophical approach toward the social and political issues of her time. In many of her poems written in the 1950s, such as I Pity the Garden (Green Memories), Earthly Verses, and Only Sound Remains, Farrokhzad expresses profound personal thoughts and feelings in simple words

The experience invites the audience to reflect on the delicate balance of our planet and the urgent need for ecological healing. As Farrokhzad once wrote, “We can take the garden to the hospital.”

Artist

Created by Shahrokh Yadegari and Memo Akten
Visuals: Memo Akten
Vocals: Azam Ali
Violin: Keyavash Nourai
Composition, electronics and direction: Shahrokh Yadegari

Shahrokh Yadegari is an Iranian-American composer, sound artist, and researcher known for his work in interactive music, live electronic performance and interdisciplinary collaborations. With a background in electrical engineering and music, he explores the intersection of technology and artistic expression. Yadegari has collaborated with artists such as Peter Sellars, Robert Woodruff, Ann Hamilton, Christine Brewer and Gabor Tompa. He is currently a faculty member in the Department of Music at UC San Diego and the Associate Director of the Qualcomm Institute, where he directs the Sonic Arts Research and Development group.

Memo Akten is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician, and researcher investigating the intricacies of human-machine entanglements. His work explores perception and states of consciousness, and the tensions between ecology, technology, science and spirituality. He writes code and uses algorithmic / data-driven design and aesthetics to create moving images, sounds, large-scale responsive installations and performances. He holds a PhD from Goldsmiths University of London, specializing in artistic and creative applications of Artificial Intelligence, and he is currently Assistant Professor at UC San Diego. Akten has received numerous awards including the Prix Ars Electronica Golden Nica.

Performances

Thu, Apr 24: 4:00 – 7:00pm
Fri, Apr 25: 4:00 – 7:00pm
Sat, Apr 26: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Sun, Apr 27: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 2:30pm – 5:00pm

Just Show Up

No RSVP needed.

Make Your Schedule

Take a moment to plan your Festival with the My Schedule builder. Select “add to my schedule” on each event that interests you. Then click “view my schedule”. You can print or email your carefully curated plan to yourself.