MANIFEST 2009: SPECTACLE FORTUNA

For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Elizabeth Burke-Dain, 312.369.8695, eburkedain@colum.edu
Digital Images are available.
April 23, 2009

Images: Spectacle Fortuna Parade Costume design of Mr. Montag from Farenheit 451
and Cap'n Ahab from Moby Dick

What: This year's Spectacle Fortuna at MANIFEST* is themed 'Human|Nature' and examines the relationship and tensions between humankind and the natural world. As part of this subject matter the works of the great American writer Ray Bradbury's famous literary characters will be brought to life in some of this year's parade characters. Artistic Director, Jennifer Friedrich; lead Costume Designer, Elsa Hiltner; lead Builder, Joy Dennis, and a team of Columbia students are in the Spectacle Fortuna Build Shop right now bringing to life Bradbury's life-long dream: to animate the characters from his books in the form of larger-than-life puppets and elaborate costumes. Expect to see the firemen and the mechanical hound from Farenheit 451, the children and Mr. Dark from Something Wicked This Way Comes, the female martian (Ylle) from The Martian Chronicles and the central characters from Wonderful Ice Cream Suit and The Illustrated Man. Also included will be costumes from Bradbury's screenplay work such as Captain Ahab from the film Moby Dick and Nemo from Little Nemo in Slumberland. While Bradbury will not be able to ride with the parade, a Ray Bradbury costume is being made for one of the lucky parade participants. Ray Bradbury is one of 2009's honorary degree recipients in Columbia College's graduation ceremony.

SPECTACLE FORTUNA BUILD SHOP BIOS
Jennifer Friedrich, creator and Artistic Director of Spectacle Fortuna, has led the designing and building for the parade for the past eight years in conjunction with Elsa Hiltner, Joy Dennis, and the students she teaches in her class 'Puppetry, Pageantry and the Art of Spectacle.' She is also the Manifest Producer and Artistic Director of the Incurable Theater.
Elsa Hiltner is the lead Costumer Designer for Spectacle Fortuna and is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee for her design work. Outside of Columbia she has worked with Collaboraction, First Folio Theater and the Eclipse Theater among others.
Joy Dennis is the lead Builder for Spectacle Fortuna. Joy is a Columbia alum and has designed and built for the parade for the past five years. In addition to her work at Columbia Joy has worked with Von Orthal Puppets, the Incurable Theater and many others.

Experience MANIFEST. Columbia College Chicago's urban arts festival celebrates the work of seniors and graduate students from every department on campus. Manifest 2009 will feature an artwalk & sale, music on four stages, screenings, readings, live radio, Web casts, the TICTOC Performance Art Festival and the Transmission art car exhibition.

When: Friday, May 15, 2009, 6:45 - 7:45pm
Where: Harrison and Michigan Avenues. The parade will make a circle around the south loop campus.
All events are open to the public.
Info: All events, maps, and schedules are listed at www.colum.edu/manifest or 312.369.6789

Press Contact: Elizabeth Burke-Dain, eburkedain@colum.edu or 312.369.8695

MANIFEST Highlights include:

Over 75 showcases in numerous creative media including screenings, lectures, gallery exhibitions, Web casts, performances, radio and television broadcasts and more.

Transmission: an "auto art" or auto-inspired art that transforms the cars of today into curiosities and art objects. Lined up along Wabash between Harrison and 11th Streets, Transmission features ART CARS from Columbia students, student organizations and the Chicago cultural community.

Industry Night: A industry networking event that puts the students in the driver's seat while letting industry professionals sit back and discover some of the best emerging creative talent in Chicago.

TICTOC: a performance art festival. From private rituals made public, to thought-provoking social commentary, to the essentially whimsical, TICTOC is committed to presenting diverse examples of performance art to thrill and challenge audiences.

Launch: Launch invites you to experience innovative work from Columbia College Chicago's fashion programs. This student-produced event showcases the talents and multiple perspectives of senior students in Fashion Design and Fashion / Retail Management.