When Founder-Director of “Bella Gaia” Kenji Williams witnessed the 2005 launch of the Russian rocket Soyuz to the International Space Station, he met American NASA astronaut Mike Fincke. Fincke had lived on the International Space Station for six months, and told
Williams that before his trip, his favorite planets were Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. That changed when Fincke looked out the window of the space station and saw Earth. Fincke told Williams that he suddenly realized and appreciated how unique our home planet is since it is habitable for life. Fincke’s experience is called the “Overview Effect,” which is shared by countless astronauts as they journey through space.
“I just got really inspired by (Fincke’s) story, and it got me thinking, %u2018how can I bring this transformative experience to those of us who can’t go to space?,’” Williams said in an email. “Thus began my journey of making %u2018Bella Gaia.’”
Since that first idea, “Bella Gaia” has grown into a multimedia tour of the Earth as seen through the eyes of astronauts and brings together art, technology and science to give audiences a one-of-a-kind experience.
Williams began the project solo, but found support in what he
refers to as “the most unattainable place:” NASA. After being invited to present his idea as a demo, Williams found help in NASA’s Valerie Casasanto, who connected him with NASA scientists, educators and the Headquarters. NASA provided Williams with scientific visuals and things that have helped Williams shape the content of “Bella Gaia.”
“The show explores human culture, and our relationship with nature through live performance and fantastic data visualizations,” Williams said. “It is an exploration of how humans and our ecosystem are
interconnected and share the same destiny as we enter the Anthropocene %u2011 the current geological epoch in which humans are the driving force of change to the Earth’s ecosystem.”
During the show, Williams and a band will perform world music composed by Williams to accompany the images of the world and its places.
CSB/SJU Fine Arts Programming will host Williams and “Bella Gaia” this weekend. The show will be performed in the Stephen B. Humphrey Theater at SJU on Saturday night. In addition to the world-renowned show, Williams and the “Bella Gaia” ensemble will present two residency activities, in keeping with their various education modules. Dancer Irina Akulenko is offering a beginner’s course in belly dancing. Williams believes that dance is the best way to immerse oneself in music and express the rhythms through one’s body.
“As the universe is made of vibration and frequency, moving your body to music is a direct reflection of the Living Universe,” Williams said.
There will also be a panel called Multicultural Perceptions of Waste, in which waste, recycling and food will be discussed, before the show.
Williams hopes that “Bella Gaia” will “touch people’s heart and emotion.”
“Ultimately, I believe humans learn and act on how they feel, and not how they think,” Williams said. “Bella Gaia’s take home message is very simple: Your actions affect other things. If this message is deeply felt, it will pervade everything you do in your life, for the rest of your life; from decisions on what to buy, to career and relationship decisions.”