A scene from a past year’s AURORA Project.

The AURORA Project, a free and public contemporary arts event, will take place in the heart of the Dallas Arts District this Friday, October 18th, from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m., with the aim of showcasing 90 of the nations’ leading national and international contemporary artists.

This groundbreaking feast for the eyes will display light, video, sound and interactive artwork in unique and unexpected ways that interplay with our city’s beautiful buildings, streets and surfaces.

According to AURORA’s website, this year’s theme, “Light of Convergence”, “illuminates the dichotomy between awareness of the individual and the greater whole”. The event and its elements will unfold across 68-acres of the Dallas Arts District, making it the nation’s largest outdoor exhibition of light, sound and performance art.  Buildings will become projection screens; streets and courtyards will morph into art installations; and steel, glass, and concrete will pulse and reverberate, transforming The Dallas Arts District’s 19 square blocks into an expansive new media art exhibition.

Artist Max Dean’s “Robotic Chair”

Aschere Energy, a Luminous Sponsor at this year’s Aurora “Light of Convergence”, is proud to introduce artist Max Dean to the DFW art scene. Mr. Dean is well-known for his “Robotic Chair” (1984-2006), which magically falls apart and reassembles itself. This art-in-motion piece is truly one of a kind, and took many years to perfect.

When asked what the chair’s dynamic dance and formation represents, artist Dean explained,

“With shuddering force the chair collapses to the floor then proceeds, with persistence and determination, to seek out its parts and upright itself. The ‘Robotic Chair’ distinguishes itself in the world of objects through its capacity to elicit empathy, compassion and hope.”

This piece will be exhibited inside the Winspear Opera House at Harmon Hall, and can be experienced throughout the entirety of the night. Max Dean has been exhibiting his interactive performance, sculpture and installation-based works since 1973 and is known internationally for being a pioneer in the machine arts.

When asked why Dallas-based energy company Aschere Energy decided to sponsor this bleeding-edge cultural event, and specially artist Max Dean, President Alex Parvizian  said,

“Much like Max Dean and his technical approach to art with a classic style, through the latest and most revolutionary technology, coupled with sound principles and a grounded approach, oil and gas exploration has never been more exciting.”

AURORA Artist Talks begin Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Hamon Hall of the Winspear Opera House. These talks include a discussion on the history, meaning and physics of light art, and discover the significance of light installation in the context of contemporary public art today. AURORA Artist Talks are a new contribution to Aurora programming in the week leading up to the main event.

As a bow on an already extravagant culture-filled night, there will be live music, entertainment, a variety of food trucks and pop-up bars, AURORA lounges where you can sit and relax, and 1,050 lanterns to light your way on a great night to be out in Dallas.

For more information on artists, exhibits, and performances, check out AURORA’s website www.dallasaurora.com, or follow and like their social profiles on Twitter and Facebook.