Artist, musician, and writer Michael Pestel has built large-scale, architectural sculpture, multi-media installations, and has performed on diverse woodwinds and invented instruments, such as the Birdmachine, Violaire, Clarineticut, Broominette, and Pianotable, in concert halls, art galleries, aviaries and natural places throughout the world. 

His focus on bird sound over the past thirty years extends the spirit of Twentieth Century French composer of avian song, Olivier Messiaen, into the realm of live performance with birds. An account of Pestel’s many years performing at Pittsburgh’s National Aviary are celebrated in David Rothenberg’s book, as well as BBC documentary, Why Birds Sing. His twenty-year Stray Birds collaboration with Kudo Taketeru, Japan’s leading butoh dancer, has received acclaim in Japan, U.S.A., and Europe. His twenty-five years of performance and installation collaborations with Dutch eco-artist, Jeroen van Westen, have won accolades both here and abroad.

Pestel is currently working on a book, Aviary of Extinct Birds, that recounts his explorations of birdsong and bird extinction. A large-scale, outdoor installation of the same name, located at the Prout Hill Institute (Phi) in Middletown, CT, seeks to resuscitate those avian sounds we can no longer hear, and lend movement to the flights of fancy we can no longer see.

2023

• Ponduet with Nicholas Serrambana on acoustic bass and Michael Pestel on Contr’alto Clarinet

• Rick Roll (composition by Shawn O’Sullivan) in Crowell Concert Hall, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT (performance: Michael Pestel on Contr’alto Clarinet, Shawn O’Sullivan on electronics)

• Fields (contextual concert by Nat Baldwin – a collage of text, sound and movement in World Music Hall), Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT; five grad student performers, including Michael Pestel on alto flute and recitation.

2022

• Pondbird, Prout Hill Institute Φ, Middletown, CT (dance performance in Aviary of Extinct Birds with Annemarie Cabri)

2019 -

• Aviary of Extinct Birds, Prout Hill Institute Φ, Middletown, CT
  (Evolving outdoor architectural installation for performance)

2019

• Ryoanji (John Cage) w/ Netta Yarushalmy, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT (Performance)

2019 - 20

• PARADOX w/ Helen Frederick & Yuriko Yamaguchi, Katzen Gallery, American University, Washington, DC (Installation)

2018

• BIRDSCORE w/ Jeroen van Westen, Het Glazen Huis, Amstelpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Installation, sitework, and performance)

2016-18

• Birdmachine w/Make Music NYC at Wave Hill, Bronx (Performance)

2016

• Migrations, Russell Library Performance Series, Middletown, CT (Performance)

• Swept (Al-Mutanabbi St Starts Here), Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C. (Performance)

• Pianotable, Hamden Academy of Music and Dance (Performance)

2015

• Resonance, Pianotable performance at Tsukuba Art Center, Japan (Performance)

• Stray Birds w/Kudo Taketeru, butoh dancer, Super Delux, Tokyo (Soundance)

2014

• Requiem, w/Taketeru Kudo, Lafayette College, Easton, PA (Performance)

• Birdmachine (w/Caterina De Re), Lafayette College, Easton (Performance)

• Stray Birds (w/Taketeru Kudo), Zen Mountain Monastery, Mt. Tremper, NY (Performance)

2013

• The King w/John Basinger, Prout Hill Stage, Middletown, CT (Performance)

• Soundworks with Bread and Puppet Theater, Glover, Vermont (Soundwork)

• Branches (w/ SOVA Theater), Sandglass Theater, Putney, Vermont, (Performance)

• Bach/Debussy , w/ P. Standaart, L. Snow, Artists for World Peace Theater, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

• Dancing Particles (w/Nasta - Koto, O’Neill – guitar), Buttonwood, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

• Dancing Particles, w/ Nasta, O’Neil, Artists for World Peace, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

2012

• Legends of the Flute, w/ Peter Standaart, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

2011

• Stray Birds (w/ butoh dancer Taketeru Kudo), Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, (Soundance)

• Stray Birds (w/ butoh dancer Taketeru Kudo), National Aviary, Pittsburgh, (Soundance)

2010

• Stream Duet, Birdmachine, Bass Flute w/ mic’ed up stream, Prout Hill Institute Φ, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

• Tennischerzo, for doubles match and 10 piece ensemble, Prout Hill Institute Φ, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

• Stray Birds, w/ butoh group, Fox Run Art Center, Sherman, CT, (Performance)

2009

• Songs and Calls, w/A. Braxton @ the Nat’l Aviary, Prout Hill Institute Φ, Middletown, CT, (Videowork)

• Tennischerzo, Group Performance at Ponder2, Prout Hill Institute Φ, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

• Migration Sensation, Syrinx Ensemble performs at Central Park Zoo, NYC, (Performance)

• Ornithopera (w/ 31 CCSU students), Art Gallery, Central CT State University, (Performance)

• Birdmachine and Children’s Orchestra, Central Park Zoo, NYC (Performance) planned)

• Charles Ives Vocal Marathon, Wesleyan University, (Videowork)

• Two Slow Walks, Heeten, The Netherlands, (Videowork)

2008

• PONDER, 16 hours on the frog pond, Prout Hill Institute, Middletown, (Performance)

• Birdmachine and Birdrawingtable, Central Park Zoo, NYC, (Performance)

• Syrinx Ensemble with Anthony Braxton, National Aviary, Pittsburgh, Three shows/three days, (Performance)

• Riverpiano, CT Culture and Tourism Gallery, Hartford, (Performance)

• Syrinx Ensemble 2 , w/ Young, Cimini, Schulze, Parks, Central Park Zoo, NYC, (Performance)

• Birdmachine, w/ David Rothenberg, Van Brundt Gallery, Beacon, NY, (Performance)

• Ives Songs of War and Peace (w/Neely Bruce), Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (Videowork)

2007

• Birdmachine and Birdrawingtable at Bronx Zoo, NYC, (Performance)

• White Calligraphy, w/ filmmaker Takahiko Iimura), Yale University, (Performance)

• Waiting for Birds, w/Jeroen Van Westen, Natural History Museum, Rotterdam, NL, (Performance)

• Birdrawingtable, various locations, Rotterdam, NL, (Performance)

• Swifts, w/ Boudewijn Payens), Amsterdam, NL, (Performance)

• Stray Birds , Butoh w/ Kudo and ensemble, Prout Hill, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

• Migration, (Syrinx w/ E. Panzer), Central Park Zoo Aviary, NYC, (Performance)

• Birdmuzik, (w/David Kadden), Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY, (Performance)

• Slipshod, (w/Magpie Dance Company, Netherlands), Wood St. Gallery, Pittsburgh, (Performance)

2006

• Why Birds Sing, Bronx Zoo Aviary for BBC Film, w/ David Rothenberg), NYC, (Performance)

• Ives Songs of War and Peace, w/ Neely Bruce Ensemble, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (Videowork)

• National Aviary Gala, w/ Syrinx Ensemble, D.L.Convention Center, Pittsburgh, (Performance)

• Syrinx Ensemble, WQED video shoot w/C. Espey, National Aviary, Pittsburgh, (Performance)

• Riverpiano (w/Susan Rawcliffe), Crossroads School Gallery, Santa Monica, (Performance)

• Stray Birds, Butoh w/Taketeru Kudo), Die Pratze Theater, Tokyo, (Performance)

• Syrinx Ensemble (w/ Opie, McNutt, Mortimore), Central Park Zoo Aviary, NYC, (Performance)

• panTonal, w/ Opie, McNutt, Mortimore, Yohe, Calvary Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, (Performance)

• Syrinx Ensemble, w/ Opie, McNutt, Mortimore, National Aviary, Pittsburgh, (Performance)

2005

• Summer Performance Series, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, (Performance)

• Lyrebird Octet, w/ Flute students, Miller Art Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University, (Soundwork)

• The Birds of Rio Negro, w/ Wind Monette, Chatham College Gallery, Pittsburgh, (Soundwork)

2004

• Lyrebird Project, Tour w/ David Rothenberg in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide,(Performance)

• Harps and Angles, (w/ tENTATIVELY a cONVENIENCE) Brewhouse, Pittsburgh, (Soundwork)

• Bird, w/ McNutt, Mortimer, Cacalone), Foreland St. Gallery, Pittsburgh, (Soundance)

2003

• Birdmachine and Flute, APM Business Conference, Brussels, (Performance)

• Writing on Air, w/ David Rothenberg), Galapagos, New York, New York, (Soundwork)

• Rivercubes Project, w/ Bob Johnson, Construction Junction, Chatham College, Duck Hollow, Three Rivers Rowing Association; Pittsburgh, (Soundwork)

• Harps and Angles, w/ tENT), Pittsburgh Biennial, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, (Soundwork)

• Aviary, w/ A. Rutty, L. Guillén, & students, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York, (Soundwork)

2002

• Palindrome, w/ E. Springer), Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York, (Performance)

• Andy’s Animals (w/ video), Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, (Performance)

• SCHREI-ben, Stadtsmuseum Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany, (Soundwork)

2001

• Straybirds, w/ Rothenberg, Westberg, Carnegie Music Hall, Pittsburgh

• Birdscape, w/ Rothenberg, Westberg), Carnegie Mellon U, Miller Gallery, Pittsburgh, (Soundwork)

• Stray Birds 3, Butoh w/ Kudo, Bubriski Outdoor Theater, Bennington, Vermont, (Soundance)

• Stray Birds 2 , Butoh w/ Kudo, WATS:ON Festival, Carnegie Mellon U, Pittsburgh, (Soundwork)

• Stray Birds 1, Butoh w/Kudo, Mattress Factory Museum, Pittsburgh, (Soundwork)

• Stray Birds, Butoh w/Kudo , Welker Room, Chatham College, Pittsburgh, (Soundwork)

• Birdscape, w/ Jeroen van Westen), Pavillions, Almere, Netherlands, (Soundwork)

• Music Lessons, w/ Mika Kimura,Tokyo Polytechnical University, Tokyo, (performance)

• Dancegrid, w/ S. Boyle, Welker Room, Chatham College, Pittsburgh, (Soundance)

2000

• White Animals, w/ Ishiguro Dance Theater, Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA), London and Maison de la Culture du Japon, Paris (Soundance)

• Fort vor het Water, w/ Jeroen van Westen, Emmen, Holland, (Soundwork)

• Polderhuis, (with Jeroen van Westen), Delft, Holland, (Soundwork)

• Stray Birds , Japan tour w/ dancer Britta Schoenbrunn, Tokyo: Tokai University, Ochanomizu University; Nagoya: Zokei University, University of Nagoya; Kyoto: Doshisha University; Takasaki Art Center; Gunma Prefectural Women’s University (Soundance)

• Ornithology and Birdhouse, CMU Flute Ensemble, National Aviary, Pittsburgh, (performance)

• Stray Birds, w/ Britta Schoenbrunn, Chatham College, Pittsburgh, (Soundance)

• Duras, w/ Britta Schoenbrunn), Tanzfabrik, Potsdam, Germany (Soundance)

• Landschafts(t)raeume, w/ Schoenbrunn), Casa de Antroposofica, Lanzerote, Spain 1999 (Soundance)

• Music Lessons: Settling Old Scores, University of Pennsylvania, Clarion (Soundwork)

• Literaturlandschaften, Akademie am Meer, Sylt, Germany (Soundwork)

• Ornithology Series (Field Studies), National Aviary, Pittsburgh (Soundwork)

1998

• Bunker Archaeologie, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Soundwork)

• Klanglandschaften, Akademie am Meer, Sylt, Germany (Soundwork)

• Music and Nature, w/ K.Shea and R.Matthews), The Kitchen, NYC (Soundvideowork)

1997

• SCHREIben (w/J.P.Sonntag), Museum of Natural History, Oldenburg, Germany (Soundwork)

• Interspatiality, w/ Orgone Cinema & tent WATS:ON? Festival, CMU, Pittsburgh (Soundwork)

• Music Lessons, Art Gallery Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania (Soundwork)

1996

• Ornithologie/Schaduwen, w/ Jeroen van Westen and Kevin Shea. Four locations throughout The Netherlands: 1. De Weerribben Nature Preserve, 2. Museum of Natural History, 3. Leeuwarden, Avifauna Aviary, Alphen a/d Rijn, 4. Apollohuis Gallery, Einhoven (Soundwork)

• Widow’s Walk, PGH Rowing Association, Washington’s Landing, Pittsburgh (Soundwork)

• Writing Lessons, Pittsburgh Biennial, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (Soundwork)

1995

• Migrations, w/ Boudewijn Payens), Hamsteede, The Netherlands (Soundwork)

• Ornithology, w/ Ornithology Ensemble, Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pennsylvania (Soundwork)

1993

• Alle Voegel Sind Schon Da? , Wittemoor, Oldenburg, Germany (Soundwork)

1991

• Sound Commentary, Carnegie International, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh (Soundwork)

• Pier Pressure, w/ Lindsay & Rosenblatt, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (Soundwork)

1990

• Ohio Gauntlet , w/ Native Americans, Golden Triangle Point, Pittsburgh (Performance)

1989

• Structures for Music, Museum of Jurassic Technology, Los Angeles (Soundwork)

1986

• Circular Functions, Structures for Memory, and Musical Chairs, Corcoran, Washington D.C. (Soundwork)

1984

• Cage Drop, w/ Antoine Bebe, Film Department, UCLA (Soundwork)

1983

• Past Sunset, grand piano over ocean below Getty Museum, Malibu (Soundwork)

2019 - 2024

• Aviary of Extinct Birds, Prout Hill Institute Φ, Middletown, CT
  (Evolving outdoor architectural installation for performance)

2023

• Pondfloats Installation for Aviary of Extinct Birds

2019 - 20

• PARADOX w/ Helen Frederick & Yuriko Yamaguchi, Katzen Gallery, American University, Washington, DC (Installation)

2018

• BIRDSCORE w/ Jeroen van Westen, Het Glazen Huis, Amstelpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Installation, sitework, and performance)

• Installation, Pianotable, Hamden Academy of Music and Dance

2015

• Installation: Resonance, Pianotable, Tsukuba Art Center, Japan

2014

• Exhibition of Requiem, Williams Art Gallery, Lafayette College

2011

• Sound Installation Series with BEBOP-KIDBOP, Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh, PA 2010

• Sound Installation w/Eoin Callery, Stream, Prout Hill, Middletown, CT

2009

• Sculpture/Sound/Video: Aviary, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain

• Sound Installation (solo), Birdmachine, Anser Anser Foundation, Heeten, Holland

• Video Installation (group): Ornithology Series at Zoo Logic ExhibitionLake George Gallery, NY

• Outdoor Installation (group): Ponder2, Tennischerzo at Prout Hill, Middletown, CT

• Video Installation (group): From Sketchbook to Suspension, St. John’s College, Annapolis 2008

• Video Installation (group): Riverpiano, CT Com on Culture and Tourism Gallery, Hartford

• Video Installation (solo): Prout Quintet at Ponder, Prout Hill, Middletown, CT

2007

• Sound Installation: Waiting for Birds (w/J. Van Westen), Natural History Museum, Rotterdam, NL

• Photography: Deaf 2 (Group Show w/ David Byrne, Nico Trepreff etc), Galerie Frank Elbaz, Paris 2006

• Stage Set (Butoh performance with Taketeru Kudo), Stray Birds, Die Pratze Theater, Tokyo

• Video Installation (group), Riverpiano, Sam Francis Gallery,Crossroads School, Santa Monica

2005

• Sound Installation (group show) Lyrebird Project, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh

• Sound Installation (with Paul Krainak), Villa Lobos and Niemeyer, Chatham College, Pittsburgh

2004

• Sitework (with Bob Johnson), "Prout StreamCube", Middletown, Connecticut

• Sound Installation (group), "Writing Lessons", "For a Long Time," Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT

2003

• Sound Installation (group), "Harps and Angles" (with tENT) Pittsburgh Center for the Arts Biennial

• Sound Installation (solo), "Aviary," Hartwick College, Foreman Gallery, Oneonta, New York

2002

• Sound Installation (group), "Music Lessons," Stadtsmuseum Oldenburg, Germany

2001

• Sound Installation (with Jeroen van Westen), "Birdscape," Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh

• Outdoor Sitework (with Jeroen van Westen), “Birdhouse” Vogelbos, Almere, Netherlands

• Sound Installation (with Jeroen van Westen), "Birdscape," Pavillions, Almere, Netherlands

2000

• Sound Installation (solo), "Uguisu," Kezouin Temple, Kamakura, Japan

1999

• Sound Installation (solo), "Music Lessons: Settling Old Scores," University of PA, Clarion

1998

• Sound Installation (solo), "Writing Lessons" (Vira Heinz Grant), Seton Hill College, Pennsylvania

1997

• Sound Installation (solo), "Archaelgy of Voices-SCHREIben," Mus.of Nat.His, Oldenburg, Germany

• Multimedia Installation (group show B. Rogers), "Music Lessons," Allegheny College, Meadville, PA

1996

• Multimedia Installation (group), "Writing Lessons," Pittsburgh Biennial, PGH Center for the Arts

• Outdoor and indoor multimedia siteworks (with Jeroen van Westen), "Ornithologie/Schaduwen," in four locations throughout The Netherlands: 1) De Weerribben Nature Preserve 2) Museum of Natural History, Leeuwarden, 3) Avifauna Aviary, Alphen a/d Rijn, Amsterdam 4) Apollohuis Gallery, Eindhoven

• Outdoor Installation (group), "Boat as Metaphor," "Widow’s Walk," Washington’s Landing, Pittsburgh

1995

• Urban Planning Site model for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust (with Robert Wilson, Richard Gluckman, and Paul Rosenblatt), Robert Wilson Watermill Center, Long Island, NY

• Multimedia Installation (solo), "Migrations," Haamstede, The Netherlands

• Multimedia Installation (solo), “Ornithology," Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pennsylvania

• Multimedia Installation (group), "Plot Lines: The Fountainhead," 808 Penn Modern, Pittsburgh, PA

1994

• Multimedia Installation (solo), "Ornithology," Hewlett Gallery, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh

1993

• Installation (group), "Alle Voegel?," Natural History Museum, Oldenburg, Germany

• Sound Installation (group), Three Rivers Arts Festival, "Ornithology," Pittsburgh, PA

1992

• Outdoor Sitework (group), "Moor '92," International Sculpture Festival, Oldenburg, Germany

1991

• Multimedia Architectural Installation (group), "On the Waterfront"), "Pier Pressure," Pittsburgh, PA

• Multimedia Installation (group), "The Fountainhead ", University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

1990

• Outdoor Sitework (solo), Three Rivers Festival Heinz Grant, "Ohio Gauntlet", Pittsburgh, PA

• Sound Sculpture (group), “Agronome”, Carnegie Mellon University Gallery, Pittsburgh

1989

• Installation (solo), "Structures for Music," Museum of Jurassic Technology, Los Angeles

1988

• Installation (solo), "Hadrian," University of Pittsburgh Gallery, Pittsburgh

1987

• Permanent Sitework, "Sine Wave," Crossroads School for Art & Sciences, Los Angeles

1986

• Outdoor Sitework (group), N. Sea Intern’l Sculpture Festival, "Sighting Wheel II," Sylt, Germany

1985

• Outdoor Sitework (Project Artist), "Sighting Wheel I," ARTPARK, Lewiston, New York

2014

• Workshops at Lafayette College on Extinction.

2011

• Lecture, “Becoming-Bird”, Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University.

• Workshops, Mattress Factory and National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA.

2010

• Lecture, “Birdsong and Bird Extinction”, Music Dept, Wesleyan University.

2009

• Lecture, “Aviary”, Samuel Chen Fine Arts Center, Central CT State University.

• Lecture, “Aviaries, Bird Extinction, and Global Warming”, CCSU Art Gallery, CT State University.

• Workshops for “AVIARY”, CCSU Art Gallery, w/ 2nd Graders, 9th Graders, U of Hartford art class.

2008

• Lecture, “Birdsound Installations”, Davison Art Center, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT.

2007

• Lecture, “Waiting for Birds”, Alliance of Artist Communities at Pyramid Atlantic, Silver Springs, MD.

2006

• Film Screening, Take Iimura, Prout Hill Theater, Middletown, CT.

2005

• Lecture, “Eco-Art”, Zilkha, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT.

2004 - 2006

• Workshop (w/ B. Johnson), “Rivercubes”, Wesleyan U, Middletown, CT.

• Lecture, "Lyrebirds, Coral-Billed Ground Cuckoos and Other Instruments," Center for Faculty Development, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.

• Lecture, "The Lyrebird Project," Spirit and Nature Conference, Chatham College, Pittsburgh.

• Lecture, "The Bird Machine," 14th North American Interdisciplinary Environmental Conference, Saratoga Springs, New York.

2003

• Lecture, "Soundscapes," American Society for Literature and the Environment, Boston University.

• Lecture and Workshop, "Soundscapes," Depart. of Music, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York.

• Workshop, "Soundspaces," Center St. School 2nd Grade, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York.

2002

• Lecture, " Works:1985-2002", Anderson Center, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York,

2001

• Lecture, "Works: 1985-2001," Bennington College, Bennington, Vermont.

• Lecture, "Works:1985-2001," Tokyo Polytechnical University, Tokyo, Japan

2000

• Lecture, "Works: 1985 - 2000," Tokyo: Tokai University, Ochanomizu University; Nagoya: Zokei University, University of Nagoya; Kyoto: Doshisha University; Takasaki Art Center; Gunma Prefectural Women’s University.

• Lecture, "Works: 1985 - 2000," University of Washington Dept. of Art, Seattle, Washington.

1999

• Lecture, "Literaturlandschaften," Akademie am Meer, Sylt, Germany.

1998

• Lecture, "Works:1985-1998," "Bunker Archaeologie," Technica University of Munich, Germany.

• Lecture, "Works: 1985 - 1998," "Klanglandschaften," Akademie am Meer, Sylt, Germany.

• Lecture, "Works:1985-1998," "Writing Lessons," Seton Hill College, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

1997

• Lecture, "Works: 1985 - 1997," "Music lessons," Allegheny College Art Dept., Meadville, Pennsylvania.

1996

• Lecture, "Works:1985-1996," Carnegie Mellon School of Art, Pittsburgh.

1995

• Lecture, "Works:1985-1995," Erie Art Museum, Erie, Pennsylvania.

• Symposium panel, "Ornithology," Salisbury State University, Maryland.

1994

• Lecture, "Works: 1985 - 1994," "Structures for Music," School of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

1993

• Lecture, "Ornithology," Ohio State University Art Department, Athens, Ohio.

• Lecture, "Circular Functions and Ornithology," Art Center (org. by Steve Prina), Pasadena.

• Conference panel, "The Fountainhead, Piers Project, Symposium Moor and Sculpture 101," College Art Association, Seattle.

• Symposium panel, "Gender Constructions," University of West Virginia Arts Division, Morgantown.

1992

• Lecture, "Circular Functions,"School of Architecture, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

• Symposium, "Currently Grounded," Electronic Media and the Arts, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

1991

• Lecture, "Architectural Sculpture, Acoustic Structures, and Performance Art," College Art Association, Washington D.C.

1989

• Lecture, "Structures for Music," Museum of Jurassic Technology, Los Angeles.

2016

• Design Thinking Teacher (Maker Lab), Independent Day School, Middlefield, CT.

2014

• Visiting Artist, Lafayette College

2005

• Senior Scholar, Chatham University

2004

• Visiting Lecturer in Graduate Liberal Studies Program, Wesleyan University

1997–2005

• Tenured Associate Professor of Art, Chatham College

1990 – 2005

• Head, Visual Arts Studio Program, Chatham College

1990 – 2005

• Gallery Co-Director, Chatham College

1993 – 2000

• Chair, Art Department, Chatham College

2001

• Visiting Adjunct Professor of Art, Hartwick College

1997 – 2000

• Adjunct Associate Professor of Art (Courtesy Appt), Carnegie Mellon University

1997 – 1999

• Visiting Lecturer, Sound Art Studio, Akademie am Meer, Sylt, Germany

1992 – 1995

• Research Associate, STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, Carnegie Mellon University 1988–97 Assistant Professor of Art, Chatham College

1993 – 1994

• Visiting Assistant Professor of Art, Carnegie Mellon University

1985 – 1988

• Artist-in-Residence, Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences, Santa Monica

1980 – 1984

• Lecturer, History of Art and Critical Theory, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles

1983

• Visiting Lecturer, Environmental Sculpture, Art Akademy (HBK), Braunschweig, Germany

• Design Thinking – Birdesign (Independent Day School)

• Green Architecture (Wesleyan University)

• Eco-Art, Environmental Sculpture, and Earthworks (Wesleyan University)

• Music, Nature and Silence (Chatham College, Hartwick College, Wesleyan)

• Installation and Performance Art (Chatham, Art Academy of Braunschweig, Carnegie Mellon University)

• Architectural Sculpture (Chatham–Carnegie Mellon collaboration)

• Sound Art Studio (Chatham)

• Audio Production Studio (Chatham)

• Sculpture Studio 1 and 2 (Chatham, Crossroads School for the Arts and Sciences)

• Art-in-Context: Community Affiliations (Carnegie Mellon, Chatham)

• Environmental Sculpture (Chatham, Carnegie Mellon)

• Eco-Art (Wesleyan, Chatham)

• Global Focus Course in Berlin and Prague (Chatham)

• Toys R Us (Creating Toys and Games) (Chatham)

• Multimedia Studio (Chatham)

• Architectural Sculpture, Installation/Performance (Pre-College Summer Arts Program, CMU)

• 3-D Design – Architecture; 3-D Design – Landscape; Contemporary Art: 1950 - Present (Chatham)

• Arts First! (Chatham);

• Artscape: The Sixties (Chatham)

• Survey of Art History 1 & 2 (Otis, Chatham)

• CityArts: The Arts in Pittsburgh (Chatham); Furniture Art Design (Chatham)

• History of 20th C. Architecture (Chatham); History of 20th C. Art (Chatham)

• History of 20th C. Sculpture (Otis/Parsons Art Institute, Art Academy Braunschweig, Chatham,)

• Critical Theory (Otis, Chatham);

• Visual Imagination: Introduction to Art (Chatham, Otis Art Institute)

2016

• Asian Cultural Council Travel Grant to Japan

2015

• Tsukuba Art Center Residency Grant, Tsukuba, Japan

2014

• Mellon Foundation Artist Grant via Lafayette College, Easton PA

2011

• Northside Community Arts Grant (National Endowment for the Arts), Pittsburgh

2008

• Connecticut Art and Culture Artist Grant

2007

• Ton Matton Grant for Rotterdam Project “Waiting for Birds”

2002

• Chatham College Research Grant

2001

• Asian Cultural Council Musician Grant for Japan project: "Birds of Japan"

2000

• Pennsylvania Council on the Arts New Genres Grant

• Carnegie Mellon University Dean’s Faculty Project Grant, Pittsburgh

• Sabbatical Leave Chatham College

1999

• Chatham College Research Grant

1998

• Buhl Professor Award, Chatham College, Pittsburgh

1997

• Vira Heinz Foundation Grant, Pittsburgh

• Lower Saxony Ministry of Culture Artist Grant, Germany

1996

• Anser Anser Foundation Grant, Enschede, The Netherlands

• Mondriaan Foundation, The Netherlands

• Vira Heinz Foundation Grant, Pittsburgh

1995

• Bewaerschole Installation Grant, Haamstede, The Netherlands

1994

• Carnegie Mellon University Faculty Project Grant, Pittsburgh

1993

• Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant

1992

• United Nations Fund for U.S. Artists in Foreign Festivals

1991

• American Institute of Architects National Design Award

1990

• Three Rivers Arts Festival Commission, Pittsburgh

• Distinguished Presidential Teacher’s Award from President George Bush

1989

• Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

1988

• National Endowment for the Arts Visual Artists Fellowship Grant

1986

• German Ministry of Culture Artist Grant

1985

• New York State Council on the Arts Visual Artists’ Project Grant, Artpark, Lewiston, NY

2015

• Tsukuba Shimbun, International Artists in Residency, November 2015

2014

• Express Times, Easton, PA, Art Review - ”For the Birds,” Nov 2014

2009

• Nathan Paluck, Hartford Advocate, February/March 2009

2007

• Kees Moeliker, Bulletin, Natural History Museum, Rotterdam, Sept. 7, 2007

2006

• Andrew Druckenbrod, "For the Birds," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 9, 2006

2005

• Mary Thomas, "Animal Nature," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sept. 14, 2005

• Mary Thomas, "Brasilia," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 4, 2005

• Mary Thomas, "Utopian Visions," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 23, 2005

• Bill Wade, "Riverpiano," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April2, 2005

2004

• Hi Magazine, "Recycling Art," (in Arabic), Washington, D.C., Spring

2003

• Jeroen van Westen, "Hunting Grounds," Seattle

• Mary Thomas, "PCA Biennial," Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Weekend Mag. pp 14-15

• Pittsburgh Biennial Catalog, Vicky Clark and Robert Razca, PCA, Pittsburgh

2002

• Sharmilla Venkatasubban, City Paper, "The Bird’s Artist," May 22-29,

2001

• The Apollohuis Performances/Installations/Lectures: 1995-2001 Catalogue, p.45

2000

• Maison de la Culture du Japon Paris Magazine, Oct/Dec, pp. 14-15

1999

• Peter Warshall, Whole Earth Magazine, review of Terra Nova "Music from Nature" (Spring)

• David Rothenberg, Whole Earth Magazine, "Sounding Alive, Composing Music with Patterns of Nature" p. 60, Spring issue

1998

• Mary Jean Kenton, Sculpture Magazine, feature review, Nov

• "Aviary Jazz" (Audio CD) with Tatsu Aoki, Pittsburgh National Aviary

1997

• "Terra Nova, Nature and Culture;" Music From Nature, vol 2, #3, summer pp. 25-27, 126-127; track #5 on Audio CD (MIT Press)

• John Kissick, New Art Examiner, Jan. pp.39-40

• Vicky Clark, exhibiton catalogue and essays: Pittsburgh Biennial

1996

• Dolf Ruesink, Vreemde vogels in unike concert, Twentsche Courant, 8 August

• Alphen aan den Rijn and Erna Straasma, "Allen Vogels Begrijpen Performance," Leidsche Courant, 24 July

• Alphen aan den Rijn and Dolf Ruesink, Kunstenaars musiceren met vogels Avifauna, "Leidsche Courant," 24 July

• René van Peer, "Hoofdrol vogels in concert Apollohuis," Eindhovens Dagblat, 26 July

• René van Peer, "Tentoonstelling met muzikale kleerhangers," Eindhovens Dagblat, 24 May

• Donald Miller, "Creative Currents," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12 July

• Frank Ferarro, Interview with Michael Pestel, Artwords 1.1 (Spring issue).

1995

• Donald Miller, "Pittsburgh Should Be Proud of Its Sparkle, Inside and Out," Pittsburgh Post- Gazette, 2 November

• Petran Kockelkoren, "Read from the Landscape" Catalogue Hamsteede

• Nico Out, "Americaan Michael Pestel 'leest' Zeeuws landschap," De Provinciale Zeeuwse Courant, 21 August

• Marinus Busum, "Installaties van beeld en geluid view weken lang in Bewaerschole," Westerschrouwen Courant, 20 August

• Mary Birdsong, " 'S For the Birds — and For Us, Too," The Erie Times, 10 Aug

• Michael Slavin, "Ornithology," New Art Examiner, September

1993

• Roger Thiel, "The Art of the Fugue," Daidalos 48: 71

• Vicky Clark, "Degrees of Abstraction," Exhibition Catalogue

1976–78

• MFA Sculpture, Otis Art Institute, Los Angeles

1972-74

• Free University of Berlin and University of Munich, Japanese Language and Culture

1969–72

• BA Sculpture, Art History, and Humanities, Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York

Languages

• German (fluent)

• Japanese (rusty)