A group of academicians from China, participants in the Ecological Civilization Conference at Claremont College, CA, visited Arcosanti. The conference and visit was arranged by John Cobb, a long-time friend of Paolo Soleri. John Cobb also arranged Paolo's lecture tour in China in Oct. 2005. [see reports from 10/24, 10/26, and 10/31/2005].
[photo] The group welcomed Paolo with great enthusiasm.

The group included Mr. Quyang Kang, the Vice President of Huazhong University in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Four students from this University attended the July 2. 2007 workshop at Arcosanti.

We continue our report from 10/24/07, on construction of the new Visitors Center entrance.
The Metal Shop crew installed part of a railing on the second level of the new ramp.
From this view, a new set of stairs is at the far end of the photo.

We reported on the construction of the stairs on 10/5 and 10/8/07.
New railing is installed on both sides of the stairs and a connection to the ramp railing is in process.

Metal shop volunteer Darina Trendafilova welds the connecting steel pieces into place.
We continue the report on railing installation on 11/7/07.

43 fifth grade students and their teachers, from PHOENIX COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, visited Arcosanti for a 3-day densely packed program.
A big treat was a silt workshop making plaster tiles and carving silt totems in the Vaults. Tomiaki Tamura played Music on the Mesa, (Dvorak's 9th Symphony, 'From The New World') set to the moonrise. And the kids shadow danced in the tradition of Pictograph and later toasted marshmallows by the fire in the Minds Garden.

There was a nature walk, a visit and tour to the Arcosanti farm and gardens, a meeting with Paolo Soleri, a Geocaching adventure and evening stargazing with astronomers Tony and Carole La Conte.
[photo] Panel discussion with some of the Arcosanti residents.

Students and their teachers said that they had a great time. The kids are already asking for a return trip next year.

Work continues on the new visitors entrance on the north side of Crafts III with installation of handrails next to the new entrance ramp.
Metalshop volunteer Darina Trendafilova and construction intern Vidhushekhar check the level of each post before welding it into place.

The individual posts are connected to weldplates imbedded in the top of each concrete retaining wall. Construction intern Vidhushekhr learnes basic welding technique by helping with the actual installation of this path railing.

A handrail is connected to the posts and workshop participant Erik Cote grinds the welded connections between the individual pieces of rail smooth before the railing receives a coat of metal primer.
The report on construction and welding in this area continues on 10/29/07.

During the week's workshop, a selected group of the Different Skies musicians visited nearby ORME School on Wednesday to give a presentation to the entire student body.
Music students from Orme School visited Arcosanti on Friday for a more in-depth introduction to the world of electronic music and to an amazing array of state of the art instruments.
Students were invited to the stage and Different Skies participant and web-master Jim Combs asked each student to touch one of the keyboards to explain how different sounds are created.

Different Skies 2007 participants:
Front row (left to right):
John Rossi III, Tim Thompson, Rus Foster and Tim Walters.
Middle row:
Brian Good, Otso Pakarinen, Mike Metlay, Bill Fox and Giles Reaves.
Back row:
Ivan Schwartz, Doug Wellington, Allen Goodman, Joe McMahon, Jeff Kunzelman, Christopher Short, Jim Combs, David Herpich, Darrell Burgan, John DuVal and Paul Vnuk, Jr.

During the six days prior to the show, the group put together 25 individual pieces for the Saturday night public performance.
This diverse group of highly talented musicians from all over the United States, and as far away as Finland, achieved the exceptional cohesiveness of like-minded individuals on a passionately shared quest.
This culminated in a dynamic and mesmerizing performance to a very enthusiastic audience. The program was at times highly energetic and playful, and at others ethereal and contemplative.
The performance was accompanied by a sophisticated graphic display above the stage, synchronised to the music, designed and actualized by Tim Thompson. It was altogether an 'awesome' production of the combined elements.
Congratulations and 'Thank you' to organizer Mike Metlay for bringing this wonderful event together at Arcosanti.
Different Skies 2008 is scheduled for September 20.

The Arcosanti Community Council has adopted a piece of Highway 17 in the fashion of many companies or organizations that adopt a mile or so of a local road and dedicate themselves to keeping the surrounding area clean.
Loaded up in the back of a few pickups, a crew of volunteers rode out to the ramps of Cordes Junction and set to work picking the shoulders clean of trash and recyclable materials.

Decked out in day-glow orange safety vests and carrying sturdy trash bags, the crew crashed through the roadside brush and set to work.
What may seem to be a chore actually turns out to be quite the entertaining adventure, once you realize that besides the usual hubcaps, bottles, and fast food cartons, some pretty odd stuff winds up on roadsides.

It's become a bit of a tradition for the volunteers to save their most interesting find, to present to everyone at morning meeting the next day in hopes of winning a prize. Legend has it that on a past Adopt a Highway excursion from Arcosanti, someone found a hundred dollar bill! Though no one found any money on this particular day, there were a few encounters with wildlife; a baby rattlesnake hiding in the safety jacket storage closet, a walnut sized Black Widow spider, and a fairly large lizard hiding in an abandoned 22oz. cup on the roadside.
All items collected are brought back to Arcosanti to be thoroughly recycled.
At the morning meeting today workshop participant Leo Sylvester won the treasure hunter first prize with a little toy sword that actually lights up. First prize: three delicious cookies from the Arcosanti bakery.

Different Skies electronic music Festival has begun.
Now in its fifth year, Different Skies is an international gathering of experimental musicians for a week of intensive composing and rehearsals, culminating in a concert at the Colly Soleri Amphitheatre at Arcosanti on Saturday, October 20, 2007.
During this week prior to the concert, the musicians of Different Skies compose and rehearse the show's music, creating the entire performance in six days.
Nightly rehearsal coverage will be available on StillStream from 7pm and on, from 10/15 - 10/19/2007.

Participants this year are: DARRELL BURGAN, JIM COMBS, JOHN DUVAL, RUSSELL FOSTER, BILL FOX, BRIAN GOOD, ALLEN GOODMAN, DAVID HERPICH, JEFF KUNZELMAN, JOE MCMAHON, MIKE METLAY, OTSO PAKARINEN, GILES REAVES, JOHN ROSSI III , IVAN SCHWARTZ, CHRISTOPHER SHORT, TIM THOMPSON, PAUL VNUK JR., TIM WALTERS and DOUG WELLINGTON.
SPECIAL GUESTS: GREG HURLEY, FRED BECKER ,DEAN DeBENEDICTIS and JOHN DUMITRU.
View individual biographies on Different Skies website.

The music of Different Skies is exciting, accessible, imaginative, and fun for listeners of all ages and musical interests, from classical and jazz to modern ambient and meditation/healing music. Technology meets imagination to create an evening of amazing entertainment.
Video artist for this year is TIM THOMPSON, who brought an amazing collection of electronic sophistication including touchpads that translate into fascinating images on the screen above the musicians, like fingerpainting with light.

Saturday's events starts with
5:00 pm: Complimentary Tour of Arcosanti
6:00 pm: Concert Dinner in the Arcosanti Café

with a delicious menu of:
Chaparral Steak Medallions with mixed Mushrooms, roasted Eggplant with white Beans and mixed Grains, green Beans with Arcosanti Herbs and Garlic, Butternut Squash Soup, Spinach-Radicchio Salad and Pumpkin Pie.

Agriculture department celebrated completion of a new chicken coop in the Arcosanti gardens. For the occasion agriculture crew and helpers cooked a delicious meal for everyone on Oct.10.2007.

[from left] Agriculture intern Amber Klatt, Arcosanti scholarship recipient Katie Schroeder, volunteer Paul Katan and planning staff Tony-Saba Shiber.

[We are still gathering images of the chicken coop construction and will report in detail later].

On the menu were lots of fresh garden products:
Okra Hush Puppies wit Spicy Pepper Sauce and Yogurt Sauce,
Roasted Tomatoes with Garlic,
Butternut Squash Soup,
Garden Greens including Kornatsuna Greens, Spinach and Collards,
Eggplant Parmesan,
Pesto Pasta with Zucchini and Summer Squash,
Butternut Squash Pie with Cranberries and Diced Apples,
Pastry Cookies with white Chocolate Chips and Cranberries ,
complemented with a local Pear Porter Brew.
[from left] Paul Katan, Amber Klatt, Katie Schroeder, Tony-Saba Shiber, agriculture manager Lisa Willot and agriculture volunteer Melissa Soluski.

Tables and chairs were transported to camp, lights were strung and Arcosanti staff, volunteers and workshop participants enjoyed a wonderful outdoor occasion.

A presentation of the Paolo Soleri Bridge and Plaza design for the Arizona Canal in downtown Scottsdale took place on October 10. 2007.
The bridge would cross the Arizona Canal west of Scottsdale Road, with an entry plaza to the canal walkway along the south bank.
Plans for the120 foot passenger bridge and the 11,000 square foot plaza were on display for the public at the foot of the Marshall Way bridge.
The design was updated with some of the suggestions from the first public forum, with non-reflective metal with a soft finish for the bridge columns, a canopy over the bridge and more trees and plants on the plaza for extra shade.
Architecture: Douglas Architects, 7522 East McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, AZ
Landscape Architecture: Steve Martino & Associates, 8828 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
Lighting: Roger Smith Lighting Design, 1135 East Desert Cove Avenue, Phoenix, AZ
Structural Engineering: Paul Koehler, 7434 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, AZ
[photo] Architect and project manager Bill Peifer of Douglas Architects in Scottsdale, AZ.

Scottsdale Public Art coordinator Judith Patrylak said "This is a completed design for a bridge that will attract people internationally to the city for years to come." Patrylak describes Soleri's design as a "clean, pure form ... a humble piece that should be very gemlike". The Scottsdale Public Art program, administered by the Scottsdale Cultural Council, has pledged $1 million for the project. Developers of the Scottsdale waterfront contributed $500,000. The Scottsdale City Council will be asked to commit $1.6 million for the bridge and plaze during hearings next spring, Patrylak said. If approved, construction could start as early as July and be completed in March 2009. [per AZ Republic article Oct. 8.2007 az.central.com].

Paolo is hopeful and enthusiastic about this project.
The dark glasses are to protect very recent eye surgery on the previous day, Oct. 9. 2007.
And he had a bad fall riding bicycle, hurt his hip and leg.
But cheerful and positive, he attended the opening of the bridge plans and was back at Arcosanti on 10/11 for this weeks School of Thought and to welcome the new workshop.

Welcome to the October 7. 2007 workshop participants.

[back from left]:
Nile Fahmy [foundry intern],
David Ledbetter, Miccaella Eo,
Ann Vosovic [seminar week],
Dorothy McCartney [seminar week], Federica Doglio,
Francesco Ferretti,
Peter Lindgren [Arcosanti scholarship].

[front from left]:
Trevor Golden, Giulia Ranuzzi [seminar week], Kara Kelly [seminar week], Leo Sylvester [son of alumnus David Sylvester], Voil Lattis [seminar week].

To continue our report from 10/5/07, the construction crew pours the last four steps of the new stairway. These stairs lead from the Visitors parking lot to the Visitors Center in Crafts III.
Construction interns Cameron Wilson, Elisabetta Quaglino and Daniela Cardace shovel and distribute concrete into the step forms. Construction intern William Holman brings more concrete in a wheelbarrow.

Chief and teacher of this construction team, David Tollas, and Landscaping coordinator Ron Chandler, put the finishing touch to the completed concrete pour.

As the concrete dried and set, the crew scrubbed the surface of the steps with a stiff wirebrush to expose the coarser grain of sand and gravel in the mix.
This report continues on 10/17/07.

Construction continues on the new Visitors Center entrance path. We last reported on this area on 9/24/07.
Construction interns Elisabetta Quaglino and Daniela Cardace move a wheelbarrow of concrete down the new ramp towards the a set of steps which are to be poured.

Forms for the next three steps have been custom cut, installed and braced.
William Holman [also a construction intern] and Elisabetta shovel the concrete into the form, beginning at the lowest step, while Daniela waits to help with the distribution and finishing.

A few days later the concrete has set, the forms are removed and the crew prepares for the final set of steps.
We continue this report on 10/8/07.

Interior construction proceeds in the lightscoop apartment on the first floor of Unit 10 in the East Crescent, with drywall installation. [see previous reports from 9/5, 9/10 and 9/26/07]
Alex Barragan attended the seminar week of Nov.5 2006 and returned with two friends to donate their week-end with hanging drywall in this new apartment.

Alex has visited Arcosanti many times. He organized several Indian concerts [see 4/27 and 4/29/05 postings], at Arcosanti and Cosanti both. He has also organized some of the book signing events for Paolo in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area.
Installing the drywall ceiling panel, the guys have to work in a tight spot in the small bathroom of this unit.

The installation is almost complete. In the main room the drywall has been taped and mudded and is now ready to be sanded and painted.
Alex and his crew accomplished a lot and we extend a hearty "Thank You" for their kind generosity.

Contemporary Dance Ensemble Human Nature returned to Arcosanti for their 13th annual week-long workshop and public performance.
Each performance is the presentation of a new work, developed during the workshop and residency at Arcosanti. This years project is "DANCEDOWNRIVER".
This performance at Arcosanti is the first phase of a project that continues in a rafting adventure for the group, down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
Human Nature:
"In preparation for DanceDownRiver, we have chosen to step outside of the traditional proscenium stage, and instead begin to cultivate a body of work that is specific to the land, or the "site" in which we are creating. We have taken the opportunity to use the rich history and architecture of the Vaults at Arcosanti to form and shape the performance.
On the river the dance will be shaped not by the magnificent painted arches of Arcosanti, but by the rock, the stone, the silt, the mud, and the rushing waters of the Colorado River".
[note the double stage].

For this performance, the cafe crew, once again, put together a wonderful meal.
Vegetarian chef Erin Turner and chef Carrie Krueger presented a menu of:
Salmon with Dill and Capers, Portabello Mushrooms stuffed with Roasted Vegetables, Wild Rice Blend with Crinimi Mushrooms, Spinach Artichoke Soup with fresh Basil, Organic Greens with Radicchio, Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Pears and Vanilla Cream Pies with Caramel, Chocolate and Raspberry Sauce.

[from the performance program]
DANCEDOWNRIVER is a prayer for the river and for all wild places and wild things. It tells the story, in a non-literal sense, of the river's journey from source to sea.

[from left] Delisa Myles, Joanna Rotkin, Nathan Montgomery, Jayne Lee, Paul Moore [Arcosanti alumnus], and Mizu Desierto.

Human Nature integrates live music, spoken word, and dramatic lighting with their movement phrases, communicating their creative ideas on a variety of levels. Each performance contains a central idea or narrative that flows through a number of individual pieces.
Formed in 1994 by Jayne Lee and Delisa Myles, and based in northern Arizona, Human Nature performs regularly in Flagstaff, Prescott, and Jerome, as well as their annual engagement at Arcosanti. They work on a project-to-project basis, and have performed additionally in London, UK; Boulder, CO; and Sedona, Cottonwood, Tucson, and Phoenix, AZ.