Nebraska Public Media Hosts AI and da Vinci Inspired Radio Theater Event in Lincoln

For Immediate Release
Nebraska Public Media Hosts AI and da Vinci Inspired Radio Theater Event in Lincoln
LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 13, 2025) – Nebraska Public Media and community partners in Lincoln are hosting a free live performance event inspired by artist Leonardo da Vinci’s boundary-pushing curiosity about wind, birds and flying machines.
“Art & the Machine: A Live Radio Theater Event” begins at 5:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, Jan. 23 at Sheldon Museum of Art at 12th and R Streets in Lincoln. Admission is free and the event is open to the public, but registration is requested at NebraskaPublicMedia.org/leonardo.
The evening will feature an original radio theater production co-created by members of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). They will use generative AI under the guidance of artists Ash Eliza Smith, Robert Twomey, and their team of artists, researchers and students from the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts at UNL.
“Art & the Machine: A Live Radio Theater Event” will also feature an excerpt from the recent PBS documentary “Leonardo da Vinci” that inspired the radio play, plus insights into a unique artistic process that merges human creativity with artificial intelligence. ASL interpretation will be available for the presentation and all videos will be shown with open captions.
Live audio of the radio play will be available for streaming beginning at approximately 5:45 p.m. CT at https://radio-play.net/davinci.
The PBS film “Leonardo da Vinci,” directed and produced by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns & David McMahon, profiles the 15th-century polymath who created some of history’s most revered works of art. Through his paintings and expansive writings, “Leonardo da Vinci” explores one of humankind’s most curious and innovative minds. The film is available for viewing at PBS.org and on the PBS app.
Sheldon Museum of Art is presenting the exhibition “Infinite Hopper: An Algorithmic Journey Through Light and Space” from Jan. 21 through July 13, 2025. Using cutting-edge generative technology and creating a dialogue between the tradition and the contemporary, the exhibition explores how modern technology can reinterpret and honor fine art. “Infinite Hopper” was created by Dan “Novy San” Novy, assistant professor of emerging media arts at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Local partners for “Art & the Machine: A Live Radio Theater Event” include Nebraska Public Media, Sheldon Museum of Art, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI at UNL) and the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts at UNL. This is a Speculative Devices and Cohab Labs co-production.
Corporate funding for “Leonardo da Vinci” was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and by its individual members The Paul and Sandra Montrone Family; Stephen A. Schwarzman; Diane and Hal Brierley; Carol and Ned Spieker; Michael and Sandy Collins; Mario J. Gabelli; The Lynch Foundation; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; and John and Leslie McQuown. Funding was also provided by Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha Darling; the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; and the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation.
Local sponsorship of “Leonardo da Vinci” provided by Metro Gallery Nebraska.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Rogers, 402-470-6512
About Nebraska Public Media
Nebraska Public Media has connected citizens with news, sports, education and entertainment since 1954. Providing global and compelling stories from PBS and NPR, the statewide public media network also produces award-winning local content. Its programs and services reach Nebraskans on television, radio, online, social media and mobile apps. Visit NebraskaPublicMedia.org for more information.
About Sheldon Museum of Art
Sheldon Museum of Art houses an art collection of international distinction in a landmark high modernist building at 12th and R streets at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Admission is free. For hours and more information, visit sheldonartmuseum.org.
About OLLI at UNL
OLLI at UNL is a volunteer-driven adult-learning membership program designed for men and women 50 years of age and older. Partnering with the College of Education and Human Sciences, OLLI provides stimulating and varied noncredit educational opportunities. Along with great courses, OLLI also offers many social and cultural events, interest groups, and travel opportunities. OLLI at UNL is one of more than 125 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the United States. Learn more at olli.unl.edu
About Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts
The Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts explores the boundaries of where cinematic narrative and storytelling intersects with science, the humanities, computer science, engineering, music, fine arts and other disciplines. It creates new opportunities for students to expand their knowledge of today’s emerging media art forms that are positioned at the intersection of film, design, computational technologies and commerce. Learn more at arts.unl.edu/carson-center