Is it possible for artists to influence people's attitudes toward global concerns through their art? Or, to put it another way, can a string quartet practice social activism, in addition to Mozart and Beethoven? If you talk to cellist Sophie Webber for any length of time, as I did earlier this week, you may start to believe it is possible to change minds and influence hearts in this way through the language of music.
Webber founded the Fused Muse Ensemble in part to increase awareness of global concerns through performances that unite music, dance and other art forms. On Thursday evening, the chamber ensemble will present the culmination of their efforts this year: "Breaking Ice," a program of multimedia works at Constellation in Chicago that draws attention to climate change, melting icebergs and the fragility of nature.
The program will be repeated at Constellation on October 17 and 18 at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit constellation-chicago.com.
Webber collaborated with Winifred Haun & Dancers, dancer/choreographer Matthew McMunn, video artist Jessica Segall, and two University of Chicago physicists to create the imaginative multimedia works that will be premiered on these programs.
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