The Spectrum of Immersion takes place on May 3rd and May 4th. Part opera, part lecture, part musical improvisation, this hour-long operetta performance will explore death and redemption, collective trauma and transformation.

Produced from an original score composed by Leroy Bach and adapted from essays by Preus, Spectrum of Immersion will feature soprano Sarah Lawrence (formerly Christine Daae in the third national tour of “Phantom of the Opera”) and Calland Metts, and will be performed by New Material with instruments created from found materials by Preus. New Material is artist John Preus, Mikel Avery (Everypeople Workshop, Black Monks of Mississippi, Josh Abrams), Leroy Bach (Wilco, Low Tide, Iron and Wine, Beth Orton, Liz Phair, Black Monks of Mississippi), and artist and builder Tadd Cowen.

Spectrum of Immersion is part of “The Beast” program series.

More on “The Beast” Exhibition and Artist John Preus:
“The Beast” is a new solo exhibition by Artist in Residence John Preus. “The Beast” structure will house a companion series of public events. Preus is best known for his work as the lead fabricator for Theaster Gates, and as the principal designer and builder of the Dorchester Projects’ Archive House. The exhibition features a two-story “architectural intervention,” designed with an open meeting space inside. Materials used in construction of The Beast were harvested from six recently closed Chicago Public Schools on the South Side. The structure will be used as a site for free public programming including storytelling, music, panel discussions, and lectures – aimed at rethinking public space for inquiry, public dialogue, and creative production.

For exhibit details and a complete schedule of companion programming, visit http://www.hydeparkart.org .