SFIS celebrated the culmination of the ASU Frankenstein Bicentennial Project with three live performance events that explored the themes of Mary Shelley’s novel. “Each of these activities exemplified the broad audience, the cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the enduring themes of creativity and responsibility that the project has developed over its six years of work at ASU,” said David Guston, co-PI of the project.
Max Brooks lecture
SFIS hosted a talk by Max Brooks, problem solving thought leader, zombie-lore expert and best selling author of “The Zombie Survival Guide” and “World War Z” as part of the Frankenstein Bicentennial celebration. In a lively presentation, Brooks addressed how zombies and have real word analogies to current issues and problem solving challenges, and how scientists and academics can better communicate their messages on science and technology issues to the public. Read more.
Stop-action Shelley
The Southwest Shakespeare Company presented selected scenes from their world-premiere new adaptation of Frankenstein in an exclusive collaboration with ASU’s Center for Science and the Imagination. Between the scenes, action was stopped to explain nuances and hidden meanings. The evening featured: David Guston, director of the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and editor of the new annotated edition of the novel written for its Bicentennial; Patrick Walsh, senior associate artistic director of the Southwest Shakespeare Company and director of the stage adaptation; and Quinn Mattfeld, producing artistic director of Southwest Shakespeare Company and the adaptation’s playwright.
Frankenstein! Concerts
The ASU Chamber Orchestra presented a musical exploration of HK Gruber’s Frankenstein!! Featuring David Schildkret, Chansonnier and performed a new modern film score live in accompaniment to the 1931 Frankenstein motion picture. Performances were held at ASU Gammage and Mesa Arts Center.