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For Immediate ReleaseMedia Contact: San Antonio River Foundation hosts world renowned sound artist Bill Fontana at Artpace on Wednesday, July 30, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.(July 24, 2008) – The sights and sounds around downtown and on the San Antonio River will be recorded and re-engineered into sound art by legendary sound sculpture artist Bill Fontana as part of a public art initiative the San Antonio River Foundation is spearheading from the Lexington Street Bridge north to the Pearl Brewery. A reception to host Fontana will be held at Artpace located at 445 North Main Ave. on Wednesday, July 30, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A pioneer for 30 years in using the urban environment as a living source of musical information, Fontana’s sound sculptures are a conduit of visual imagery for listeners.
Working in some of the most famous and established cities in the world, Fontana has created sound sculptures in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo as well as in New York, Seattle and San Francisco, where he resides. His works have enlightened indoor and outdoor spaces and have transformed museums, bridges and parks. Fontana will be working on the Jones Avenue Bridge, adjacent to the San Antonio Museum of Art and across from the old grist mill that once was a part of the San Antonio River industrial area landscape.
SARF is a non-profit organization leading the coordination and funding for the beautification and embellishments of the 1.2 mile-long stretch dubbed “The Museum Reach.” A total of seven artists will work on 11 projects that will breathe new life in, on and around eight bridges that cross the San Antonio River with a total project budget of $2.2 million. “Bill Fontana’s inspiring and stimulating sound installations will bring a subtle yet significant contribution this stretch of the river park expansion,” said Kim Abernethy, SARF executive director. “We feel honored to be among the world-class cities that have installations by Fontana,” she continued. ### About the artist: Bill Fontana was born in 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio and attended the New School for Social Research in New York City and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1970. Over the last 30 years he has been involved in public sound sculpture art commissions in the world’s largest cities as well as permanent installations, sound recordings and design projects worldwide. About SARF: SARF was established in 2003 as a non-profit organization to raise funds from the private sector to support the San Antonio River. The foundation's mission is to secure financial and community support to enhance the natural beauty, recreational use and public appreciation of the San Antonio River and is an integral part of the San Antonio River Improvements Project, a long-term public/private river restoration initiative. |
  
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