Tallgrass Third Thursdays and the Ulrich Museum of Art are bringing Green Porno production and costume designer Andy Byers to Wichita for ten days of public, museum and classroom events. To commence the activities, Byers will present the Green Porno mini-films and discuss his work at the Third Thursday April screening co-sponsored by the Fisch Haus and D.K. Kitchen.

Green Porno is an ongoing series of very short films (less than three minutes long) that takes a comical and insightful look at the sexual behavior of the birds and the bees - well, invertebrates and some sea mammals, anyway. Scientific accuracy is humorously balanced with childlike wonder by series star and creator Isabella Rossellini, who provides running narratives in creative costumes and sets designed by Byers.

New York-based artist Byers comes to Wichita to share behind-the-scenes clips of filming, the creative process and insight regarding his collaborations with other artists, including Rossellini.

Rossellini has said that she wants audiences to laugh, and then to say, "Wow, I didn't know that about that animal." And Byers' highly conceptual paper costumes and set designs are a strong part of that.

What: FILM SCREENING AND ARTIST TALK:
The Sundance Channel'sGreen Porno and artist, Andy Byers

When: 7 p.m., Thursday, April 15
Doors open at 6:30; come and enjoy cocktails served by The Bar's Open - (cash bar)

Where: Fisch Haus, 
524 S. Commerce St., 
Wichita, KS

How Much: $10 general public with discounts for students and seniors

Byers is a production designer currently living in Brooklyn, New York. He received his MFA in 2005 at the Ohio State University in ceramics and a BFA at the Kansas City Art Institute. On all the Green Porno series, he designed and helped create all sets, animals, and costumes and performed the original score.

Watermark Books will sell the recently published book, Green Porno, before and after the presentation. Byers will be available to sign the books.

The Ulrich Museum of Art, has commissioned Byers to create costumes inspired by signature art in its collection for the April 24 opening party of Art of Our Time: Selections from the Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita State University. (http://www.ulrich.wichita.edu/) During his visit to Wichita, artist Andy Byers will also be working with Wichita State University students as well as being a judge for Project Run-a-Way, a benefit for the WSU student-run gallery Shift Space on Friday, April 16 at 7 p.m.

Tallgrass Third Thursdays is a monthly program of recently created independent film. Whenever possible, the program is enhanced by the appearance of the filmmaker, a Q&A session and reception. The additions of other artistic media, educational tools, such as a panel discussion, or collaboration with community organizations/companies often create a themed event. The screenings highlight various venues in the community as they take place on the third Thursday of each month at locations chosen for the particular film. For the April screening, we appreciate the collaboration of the Ulrich Museum of Art and the generous sponsorship of the Fisch Haus (http://www.fischhaus.com/).

Each sponsored Third Thursday Screening is a fundraiser for Tallgrass Film Festival, scheduled for Oct. 22-24, 2010 in Wichita, Kansas