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'Water Songs' will chart the Colorado River

Colorado River

NORTH ADAMS -- Over the course of the Colorado River's 1,450-mile journey from La Poudre Pass in the Rockies to the Gulf of California, gathering water from a basin encompassing seven states, it picks up many stories. It weaves through layers of geology and geography, becomes a crucial part of ecosystems and economies, and includes breathtaking natural and engineering wonders. Its flow affects the lives of millions.

And for a diverse group of filmmakers, composers, singers, and educators who are gathering at Mass MoCA this week, it is the guiding theme for a multimedia project to explore a visually stunning part of the world that is not only central to US economy, but surprisingly delicate and with an uncertain future.

"This is a sensory gateway into that region, portrayed in a rich and nuanced way," said Murat Eyuboglu, the director and filmmaker who is driving the project. "We're providing the tools for people to learn more, experience more, and become more engaged."

The end result is planned for late next year, but Mass MoCA will host a "work in progress" screening of the project, called "Water Songs: Ha Tay G'Am" from name for the river in the native Havasupai language. The showing on Saturday will include footage from the film and music composed for it, performed by the vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, who are familiar faces at Mass MoCA.

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