Bill Orisich - Undercurrents

Name: Bill Orisich - Undercurrents
Start: 2026-08-23T09:30:00-06:00
Location: Blue River Plaza

Blue River Plaza

Free

Undercurrents is a site-specific sound installation on the banks of the Blue River featuring recorded voices, instruments, underwater sounds and layered sonic textures inspired by the river, the site and its histories.

The installation activates each morning of BIFA from 9:30–10:30am, Friday through Sunday, inviting visitors to slow down, walk the river corridor and experience an evolving soundscape in conversation with the surrounding landscape.

The work opens with two special live activations featuring musicians performing alongside the recorded sound installation:

Thursday, August 20 | 8–9pm — Opening Performance with Live Musicians
Friday, August 21 | 9:30–10:30am — Morning Performance with Live Musicians

Morning activations on Saturday and Sunday feature the recorded sound installation only.

Aug 20, 2026 • 8:00pm–9:00pm, Thursday
Opening Performance with Live Musicians

Free

Aug 21, 2026 • 9:30am–10:30am, Friday
Morning Performance with Live Musicians

Free

Aug 22, 2026 • 9:30am–10:30am, Saturday
Morning Sound Installation

Free

Aug 23, 2026 • 9:30am–10:30am, Sunday
Morning Sound Installation

Free

Community Event

Special Performances with Live Musicians

For the opening night premiere and first morning activation, artist Bill Orisich is joined by a group of improvising musicians who perform in dialogue with the recorded soundscape of Undercurrents.

These live activations blend voice, harp, percussion, electronics and bass with the installation’s recorded sounds, creating a one-time experience shaped by the site, the river and the moment itself. The performances expand upon the themes of listening, memory and place that run throughout the work, allowing the installation to evolve through live response and improvisation.

Featured performers include vocalist Loam, harpist Janet Harriman, percussionist Jason Rodon, and artist Bill Orisich performing live electronics and bass, with possible appearances by saxophonist Bill Head.