New Mexico Highlands University’s Media Arts Program video project, Almas de la Plaza — Spirits of the Plaza, extends its run through Feb. 11., closing with a free public reception at 6:30 p.m. at historic Plaza Park in Las Vegas.
“The run was extended because there was such a lot of public interest with groups of people still wanting to see the installation,” said Highlands media arts professor Robert Drummond. “Wid Slick of the Plaza Hotel has been simply wonderful in his support of this video project, including extending its run at the Ilfeld expansion of the hotel.”
Students from Drummond’s Design Projects for the Community fall semester class created Almas de la Plaza under his direction. The cutting-edge video art project explores northern New Mexico history from territory to statehood. It features lively monologues from local actors depicting prominent historical figures.
The multi-image video installation is the first of its kind for Las Vegas and is housed in the llfeld expansion of the historic Plaza Hotel, one of Las Vegas’ architectural landmarks. Surrounded by this building and other Las Vegas architectural treasures, night-time passersby view these historical characters in ghostly videos as they appear inside the building’s turn-of-the century window frames.
Funding for the video project comes from the New Mexico Humanities Council with community sponsors including the Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas/San Miguel Chamber of Commerce, City of Las Vegas, MainStreet Las Vegas, Las Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation, and Highlands University.