BELL 8 began as a meditative installation in 2016 by Deirdre Towers who named it after the buoy in Long Island Sound, near the mouth of the Connecticut River. Designed to inspire the sense of expansion and bliss one can have afloat, this immersive experience helps you to release your impulse for control, and embrace change.

2020, designers Armando Menicacci, Mara Aceves and Deirdre are working on an interactive installation that sculpts the space with films, kinetic art, sound, and lighting. The goal is to offer a momentary balm, a playful sanctuary that gives you a the kick of champagne.

Participants in the 2020 event are to date: choreographers/dancers Elizabeth Streb, Kyle Marshall, Zaki A’Jani Marshall, Andre Alabastro, Ann Marie de Angelo, William Ervin, Belinda James, Sonia Franco, Frankie Lee Peterson, Paloma de Vega Centenera, and TK Circus; composers Joseph Schwantner, Paul Jared Newman; cinematographers Nan Melville and Ted Ciesielski; painter/filmmakers Christine Sloan Stoddard; animator Pooh Kaye; textile artist Grethe Wittrock.

bell 8photo by Nan Melville

NWD Projects as part of National Water Dance hosted Deirdre Towers in a residency to develop the installation August 23-29, 2020 in South Thomaston, MA.

The original installation was hosted by:

Lilac Preservation Project  7/22-9/22/2017
Waterfront Museum  in Red Hook, Brooklyn, the month of 6/2017
Long Island City Arts Open 2016 – “Landscapes From Below” at W3

Multi-media versions were hosted by
Dixon Place
Hudson Valley Flamenco Festival