The 19th-century Gasholder Building in Troy will be the location for the S(around)OUND events. For the event, the students have transformed the interior of the Gasholder Building using giant inflatables, new materials, and video animations, giving audience members "a never-before-experienced view of this iconic Troy landmark."

Architecture and HASS To Premiere “S(around)OUND” March 24-25

The Schools of Architecture and Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) are collaborating on the world premiere of S(around)OUND (pronounced “surround sound”) March 24-25. Held in Troy’s historic Gasholder Building, S(around)OUND is a performance featuring internationally renowned experimental violinist Todd Reynolds, in collaboration with Rensselaer arts and architecture students. The event will combine art, architecture, animation, hybrid violin, computers, and more.

Michael Oatman, associate professor of architecture, and Shawn Lawson, associate professor of arts, are advisers for the Production, Installation, Performance (PIP) class, carrying out the vision of internationally renowned acoustician Chris Jaffe ’49, who imagined a special course at Rensselaer around the idea of collaboration, architecture, and the performing arts.

The 19th-century Gasholder Building located at 1115 5th Ave. is currently the home of Sage Brothers Painting Company. The building was the distribution point for the coal gas that powered all gas lamps for the city of Troy.

According to the event’s website, “In the first stage, viewers explore the Gasholder on the ground and experience the acoustic wonder of the space. In the second stage, the viewers are a part of the
performance. Finally, viewers will have access to a never-before-experienced view of this iconic Troy landmark.

There will be two free public performances, on Saturday, March 24, and Sunday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m. 

S(around)OUND is sponsored by the Chris and Marcia Jaffe Foundation, which was established by Chris Jaffe ’49 to support student projects at Rensselaer.

S(around)OUND has received additional support from MAC Equipment Rentals in Troy, Sage Brothers Painting Company in Troy and The Guitar Center in Colonie.