HOPPER HAIKU, a new art song project by composer/pianist Ellen Mandel and lyricist/baritone Daniel Neer, is inspired by the artwork of American realist painter Edward Hopper and provides an imagined musical voice to the characters and environments depicted in his iconic paintings. Set to narrative haiku, Mandel’s jazzy musical settings for piano and voice provide a soundtrack to the urban isolation and gritty landscape of twentieth century America. Accompanied by projected media and performed by Neer and Mandel, HOPPER HAIKU illustrates the stark intricacies of Hopper’s realist style, and challenges us to reexamine the isolationism of human connections alongside modern-day constructs such as social media, artificial intelligence, and political divisiveness.

This is an in-person event. Registration is requested but not required.