EMPAC; A Performing Arts Center Like No Other
Renselear, NY
Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, or Empac, is like no other. It is a place that combines science and art into one; an opportunity for interaction and exchange between artists and researchers. It started out with the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson’s idea to “engage activities of both hemispheres of the human brain: the verbal, analytical left half and the creative, artistic right half” (Oestreich, New York Times). A new idea that asks the question - how to combine, in one building, the permanence of the traditional performing arts with the transient character of experimental media. No other building has offered this before.
On opening night, Oct. 3rd, 2008, men dressed in tuxedos and women in evening gowns walked across the gangways that lead them into a big ball-shaped structure made out of curved wood “like a ship within a ship”, revealing the 1,200-seat concert hall (Overbye, New York Times). They were here for the Gala which started the three week celebration that show-cased the mission of Empac.
In addition to the concert hall, Empac provides a 400-seat theatre with movable stages and seats as well as two black box studios, one designed to focus more on sound, and the other on sight. Rehearsal space and other use spaces are also found throughout the building.
InterAmerica Stage, Inc. designed, fabricated and supervised the installaion of a sophisticated acoustical roll banner system. These banners are found in the concert hall and in both studios. These banners are designed to vary the acoustics for different functions and are also used dampen acoustic reverberation while rehearsing in an empty hall.
IAstage provided much more than the acoustic banners. Dozens of special chain motor tubes, access platforms, bridges, and fall protection were also provided by IAstage.
For further reading;
New York Times — Art and Science, Virtual and Real, Under One Big Roof
New York Times — A New Concert Hall Plays Up the Sound and Celebrates the Science
