10 things to know about Flux Night

1. It’s one night only

Local nonprofit arts organization Flux Projects is gearing up for its fourth annual experimental public art party on Sat., Oct. 5, from 7 p.m. to midnight. Featuring 20 projects spread throughout the Castleberry Hill Arts District, Flux Night is created for a single night before being completely erased, like a Tibetan sand mandala of public art.

2. Admission is free.

As always, Flux Night is free-99 and open to people of all ages. The only cost is your time and an open mind.

3. There Will Be Interactivity.

Experimentation is part of Flux Night’s mission. Artistic expression quarantined to canvas and gilded frames is so 16th century. For a contemporary society that has created itself out of pixels, reblogs, intangible streams, clouds, and simulated interaction, it seems only appropriate that many projects reflect our new reality. Former Atlantan Pablo Gnecco and his interactive project “Array” will capture and project audience portraits to create non-linear stories. Toronto-based Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky’s “Late Night Convenience” will be a pop-up convenience store giving away free grocery lanterns for patrons to take with them into the night, taking experimental weirdness with them.

4. Helena Reckitt is curating.

London-born Helena Reckitt is an international curatorial pop star with deep ties to Atlanta’s art scene. The Oxford graduate spent seven years teaching and curating at the Atlanta College of Art, Emory University, and the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. She has written for numerous outlets about contemporary performance, feminist and queer art. Her curatorial theme, ‘Free Association,’ aims to emphasize the project’s exceptional street-level community interactions in a car-centric city that doesn’t always provide it.

5. Get to know Castleberry Hill

Castleberry Hill is a neighborhood that is always in, well, flux. Formerly the red light district of Atlanta, the neighborhood grew as a supporting community to the rapidly expanding railway industry comprising many warehouses and commercial retail and trade businesses. The real estate boom transformed that brick and mortar character into luxury lofts, some of which were left hanging after the bust in 2008. With the economy on the rise, the neighborhood is reinventing itself again.

6. It’s easy to get to.

Take MARTA to the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center station or bring your bike and have it valeted at The Granite Room at 211 Peters St. If you’re driving, parking will be available at the Brown Lot of the Georgia World Congress Center located at Magnum Street and Georgia Dome Drive as well as surface lots around Centennial Olympic Park. Both are within walking distance and ATL-Cruzers will be providing free shuttle service from the Brown Lot and from the corner of Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Marietta Street.

7. There’s stuff for everyone.

Music and dance play will play an important role in this year’s events. Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre’s “The Sound of Falling” features two dancers trapped in a box, divided by a wall, as they reenact the memories preceding their isolation in a decaying high-rise. Benita Carr, Bill Orisich with Evan Levy, Lance Haugen and others’ present “Horse Drawn Piano” a musical parade of sorts that will makes its way through the darkened streets. Metal and rocks will be positioned on the piano’s strings, transforming the vibrations of the historic road into part of the music.

8. Download the app.

Flux Night 2013 has its own app for iPhone users to help navigate through the projects, find things to eat, beer to drink, restrooms, EMS, if needed, and other landmarks. Downloading the free app is the best way to keep track of all the projects and the best strategy for seeing what you want to see without getting completely lost. It will also come in handy when trying to meet up with friends.

9. Prepare for anything.

Flux is roughly translated into “lots of walk.” Wear comfortable shoes because there are a lot of buildings to walk through, circles to stand in, and queues to, well, queue in. No need to abuse your feet for style — it will be pretty dark anyway. If worn-in Reeboks aren’t on the agenda, let Dr. Scholl’s love you. Bring a jacket, too. As you know, Atlanta weather can be fickle.

10. Arrive early to eat.

Art isn’t fun when you’re cranky. Come to the event as early as 6 p.m. to grab a bite from Good Food Truck, Doggy Dogg, Streatery, Nectar, King of Pops, and more because enjoying art requires snacks.