“Rising from the Ruins” Projection Performance

Local artist, Paul Herwig, presents Rising from the Ruins, a projection performance within the stunning architecture and walls of the Mill City Museum Ruin Courtyard, in the open air and under the stars. Rising from the Ruins is an epic and imaginative story-journey, told through visuals and live music composed and performed by local composer and musician Ben Siems. Presented in part in the style of a graphic novel, with original drawings by Belgian artist Dirk Opstaele, Rising from the Ruins is an allegory that sets off from the banks of the Owamniyomni, and travels down the rivers of time, history, and space to trace the resilience, recovery, and renewal of all who are affected by its power and fragility.

Paul Herwig is one of the area’s sole practitioners of projection mapping, and live animated projection events. Recent large-scale projects include the powerful community art project, Facing the Fire, which wrapped the ruins of the former 3rd precinct building with the history of civil unrest along Lake St, and reflected the fears, and hopes of the neighborhood’s residents. Other events under Paul’s company name, Future Projections, include Canopy/Calliope, a site-specific work commissioned by the MN State Fair, immersive projection environments for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Art in Bloom Preview Party, and a show-length live animated projection “score” for a James Sewell Ballet production and tour, along with many other events.

Ben Siems composed the score and plays the guitar for Rising from the Ruins. Ben leads The Willie August Project, a progressive, improvisational trio that blends jazz with folk, rock and other musical influences. In line with the jazz of Pat Metheny and Gary Burton on the ECM label and the music of Ralph Towner. Siems also composes music in a wide range of styles, from folk to rock to avant-classical.

Dirk Opstale created the graphic novel style drawings that accompany the performance. Dirk is an author, stage director, and visual artist. Dirk is generally known as the founder and helmsman of the Brussels based theater and opera company, Ensemble Leporello (1985), which has toured its productions throughout Europe for the past forty years. He also writes, adapts and translates plays, and has just published a book about Alzheimer’s.

A cash bar will be available.

Paul Herwig is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. This activity is also made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.