CONFLUX

CONFLUX is a performance event on the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. Transforming the Explorer riverboat into an immersive art experience, collaborators Celeste Neuhaus and Heidi Wiren Bartlett will lead the audience on a journey into the river and within themselves. Adorned with sparkling flags and illuminated by magic spells and live video projections, these events will be visible on the boat and alongside the river. Participants will observe microscopic plankton species essential to all river life, and be guided into an embodied relationship with the diverse ecosystem of Southwestern Pennsylvania. As the riverboat embarks, dancers will move as personified plankton, and as the riverboat returns to shore, a River Siren will sing on behalf of the water and the land at the confluence of the three rivers.

This project is made possible through a partnership with the Office for Public Art and Riverlife.

About Heidi Wiren Bartlett

Heidi Wiren Bartlett is an interdisciplinary performance artist from the Great Plains. Her work is concerned with the portrayal, oppression, and subversive existence of women in America today. Illuminating the often overlooked and forgotten, she creates laborious action and still objects, blurring lines between public and private. She deconstructs notions of gender, race and corporeality through sculpture, photographs, moving image and action. She currently lives and works in Pittsburgh, PA and is a co-founder of Propelled Animals, a transdisciplinary arts and social justice collective.
Her studio is currently housed at the Brew House Association in Pittsburgh, PA and she is an artist-in-residence at High Concepts Labs in Chicago, IL and the Karl Stirner Arts Trail in Easton, PA.

About Celeste Neuhaus

Celeste Neuhaus is a witch who fuses art and magic. Her imagery, objects, performances and rituals support healing from the effects of living within capitalism and its intersecting systems of oppression. Chronic illness has acted as a constant catalyst for Celeste’s research into a spectrum of healing modalities, which continually shapes the forms of her practice. Through her service Conjure Creativity, she empowers people to align with the cycles of their unique creative processes.

Event Information

Arrival Time

Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start time to check-in and board the riverboat. The excursion will begin promptly at 6:00 PM.

Location and Address

The Explorer riverboat docks at the Rivers of Steel Dock on Pittsburgh’s North Shore near the headwaters of the Ohio River. The official address is 715 Casino Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For practical purposes, the location is along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, between the Carnegie Science Center and The Landing Hotel at the Rivers Casino. All public tours and programs originate from this location.

Directions and Parking

The Rivers of Steel Dock is accessible from the Three Rivers Heritage Trail via pedestrian and bicycle, and by both public and private transportation.

For Pedestrians and Cyclists: Head west on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail from the Roberto Clemente Bridge (6th Street) (downriver, towards the Point). The dock is less than 1 mile down the trail. Please note that there is limited bicycle parking immediately adjacent to the dock.

For Public Transit: The Allegheny Station of the light rail system is located near the corner of Reedsdale Street and Allegheny Avenue. From there, head towards the Carnegie Science Center on North Shore Drive. There are several bus stops along Reedsdale Street that serve routes 14 and 18. For more information on public transportation and to plan your trip, please visit the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website.

Parking is available at the Carnegie Science Center’s paid parking lots. Please review their parking information here. For more details, including maps and step-by-step directions, visit the Rivers of Steel Google Business page or download this pdf.

Accessibility

The Explorer riverboat and its home dock are ADA accessible, which includes an ADA restroom onboard as well as an elevator to navigate between the boat’s decks. Handicapped parking is available nearby at the Carnegie Science Center. Please contact the Office for Public Art directly at info@opapgh.org with requests for additional accommodations.

COVID-19 Policy

For the health, safety, and comfort of our guests, employees, and artists, the Office for Public Art and Riverlife request that all guests wear masks while on the Explorer. Guests are expected to be considerate of others, being respectful and allowing for physical distancing when possible. Guests should not attend if they have cold or flu-like symptoms, such as cough / sneeze / fever, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Please note that for the purpose of the performance, artists may not be masked; however we expect all guests and non-performing employees to wear masks and maintain physical distance throughout the event.

Registration

While not explicit in content, this experience is intended for an adult audience; must be 18 or older to attend.

Tickets for this event are Pay What You Can with admission ranging from $5.00, $10.00, or $15.00. To purchase tickets, please click on the button below. You will be redirected to Eventbrite where you will complete your purchase.