Dance with Your New Besties at Cleveland Public Library’s Brett Hall
The library unveils The BAND, a new interactive exhibition by FriendsWithYou
October 15, 2024 (CLEVELAND, OH) – There are new kids on the block of East 3rd and Superior Avenue! Cleveland Public Library is proud to announce the opening of The BAND, a new interactive art installation by the renowned duo FriendsWithYou, in Brett Hall starting Oct. 26, 2024. In collaboration with LAND Studio and the engineers at Deeplocal, The BAND brings together large-scale autonomous robots that engage visitors through sound, movement, and technology, offering a unique and joyful experience for all ages.
“As part of our commitment to making art and technology accessible, The BAND exemplifies Cleveland Public Library’s role in fostering creative and engaging experiences,” said Felton Thomas Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library. “This exhibition is free to the public and offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our community to interact with art in a way that’s inspiring, forward-thinking, and interactive.”
Visitors to Brett Hall will meet five unique robotic characters—ROC, ETZ, LIX, PMJ, and FUR—and have the chance to interact with each of them and watch their choreographed dance performance. Accompanied by an original score from composer Norman Bambi, the installation encourages participants to engage with the robots and become part of the art. By blending creativity with advanced AI technology, the exhibition fosters connection, positivity, and offers a new perspective on the relationship between humans and digital systems.
“Technology often serves as an escape, disconnecting us from reality,” said Tiffany Graham Charkosky, Director of Arts & Culture at Cleveland Public Library. “But The BAND offers a unique opportunity to blend technology with the real world, fostering connection, artistic expression, and friendship along the way.”
FriendsWithYou, the collaboration of artists Samuel Borkson and Arturo Sandoval III, has captivated audiences worldwide with their immersive installations and public art, continuing their mission to spread joy and compassion through creativity. The installation will be on display in Brett Hall until Spring of 2025, allowing visitors ample time to explore this innovative blend of art and technology.
For more information about the exhibition and past See Also installations, visit cpl.org/exhibits.
About Cleveland Public Library
Founded in 1869, Cleveland Public Library serves the residents of Cleveland through its network of 27 neighborhood branches, the Main Library downtown, Public Administration Library at City Hall, homebound delivery services, and mobile services to daycare and senior centers. From a collection of 10.5 million items, the Library has traditionally circulated nearly 6 million items a year to its 264,614 registered borrowers and to 47 other CLEVNET-member libraries in 12 counties across Northeast Ohio. Cleveland Public Library is home to the Ohio Center for the Book and the Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, serving all 88 counties in the state of Ohio. For more information, visit cpl.org.
