Hatched: Breaking through the Silence

Multi-Sensory Winter Illumination Experience at the Iconic Hatch Shell

To mark the 20^th Anniversary of the Esplanade Association’s successful public-private partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), the Esplanade Association (EA) will present “Hatched: Breaking through the Silence,” a four week illumination and sound experience to provide a family-friendly and physically-distant celebration at the famed Hatch Memorial Shell. “Hatched” will cut through the darkness of the winter months, offering a public space for joy and optimism in the New Year. The work is an original 15-minute visual and sound performance led by Boston-based creative Maria Finkelmeier of MF Dynamics and is shaped specifically for the 80-year-old amphitheater itself.

WHEN: January 22, 2021 – February 21, 2021

TIMES: 5pm – 9pm ET, starting every 20 minutes at :00, :20, and :40

WHERE: Hatch Memorial Shell, Boston, MA 02108 (best reached on foot from the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge)

HOW TO ENJOY: On foot, along the Esplanade, while wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance from spectators outside your household.

PLEASE NOTE: The DCR Hatch Shell cannot be accessed by car. There is no site parking or rideshare drop off on site. You can find a map of park footbridge entrances here.

About Hatched: Breaking through the Silence

The projection-mapped visuals for Hatched will celebrate the many sounds that Hatch Memorial Shell performers have expressed over the facility’s impressive musical history. Finkelmeier and her team will feature geometric shapes of musical instruments as kaleidoscope pieces, human hands magically tapping, scratching, and creating beats on the surface itself, and colorful animations accentuating the Shell’s Art Deco form – all set to new music composed by Finkelmeier and recorded by local musicians. Featuring a team of predominantly female-identifying artists and directors, Hatched will bring to light a balanced pedestal, an opportunity for underrepresented communities to “break through” and share their skills, vision, and voice.

Powered by Epson laser projectors, “Hatched” will bring vibrant color and form to the inner surface of the Hatch Shell. With custom-built weather housing for the projectors, the experience presents a rare opportunity to experience projection mapping in the winter months and will bring joy no matter the New England winter weather.

Hatched Team_MF Dynamics_photo credit Aram Boghosian (1)

About the Artist Team

MF Dynamics creates large-scale performative art works in public spaces and multimedia experiences at art and concert venues. The experimental studio is guided by Founder Maria Finkelmeier’s principles in creating new and meticulously crafted works that are narrative driven and socially responsive. MF Dynamics is dedicated to encouraging conversation and connection through visceral, ephemeral, yet unforgettable moments.

Photo by Aram Boghosian

Press Coverage:

Light-and-sound show will kick of Jan. 22 at Hatch Memorial Shell: The Boston Globe
Colorful, socially distant public art campaign planned for Boston’s Hatch Shell: WCVB News Center 5
Winter Light And Sound Show Coming To Esplanade For One Month: WBZ, CBS Channel 4 Boston
A Team of Artists Will Turn the Hatch Shell into a “Four Week Illumination and Sound Experience”: Boston Magazine
Colorful, socially distant public art campaign planned for Boston’s Hatch Shell: News Break
The Esplanade Association celebrates 20th Anniversary: Beacon Hill Times
or this link
A dazzling ‘illumination and sound experience’ is coming to the Hatch Shell: Boston.com
Winter illumination experience at Hatch Shell begins next week: WHDH Channel 7