Construction Progress Changes the Face of Experience Music Project Almost Daily.

SEATTLE--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1998--Experience Music Project (EMP) is the 140,000-square-foot interactive music museum celebrating creativity and innovation as expressed through rock `n' roll and other forms of American popular music.

Founded by investor Paul G. Allen and designed by world-renowned architect Frank O. Gehry, the museum will open at the Seattle Center in mid-2000.

"We hope this project will encourage visitors of all ages and backgrounds to listen, learn and participate in music, experience the power and joy of music in all its forms, and explore their own creativity," said Jody Patton, EMP's executive director.

Expect to see this one-of-a kind, world-class building dramatically changing in the next few months. Some of these changes will be more visible than others, including:

-- One of the six pavilions of Experience Music Project has been

completely enclosed in its concrete shell. A light blue metal

skin will start to be installed within the next months. This

building will house Artist's Journey, a ride-like experience with

special effects designed by Digital Domain, the award-winning

company that did special effects for Titanic, Apollo 13 and other

memorable films. -- Along Fifth Avenue, the structural steel for two exhibit areas is

being installed, with steel wire mesh immediately to follow. -- Sky Church, the centerpiece of the structure, a gathering place

for people to come together to share their own creative

potential, will be more visible soon to passersby. The framing is

complete on Sky Church and that part of the structure will soon

be enclosed. -- Mechanical and electrical systems are in place. "Progress on

those systems is ongoing," says Paul Zumwalt, manager of design

and construction. "Now, we're starting to route and duct those

systems though the building." -- Fabrication of exhibits offsite is starting in a warehouse in New

Jersey. "We're starting to test the electronics and high-tech

gadgets planned for the building," Zumwalt explains, "such as

some of the interactive exhibits planned for Sound Lab, where

musicians and non-musicians alike can come together to make

music."

"This is an extremely exciting period in the construction," says Zumwalt. "We're moving very quickly forward with work you can see. Up until now, much of our work has been in very fine details. Now the magnitude and scale of this building is starting to be realized, and just how extraordinary this building is. This is benchmark architecture for the 21st century, and that's exciting."

A large model of the building will be on display for public viewing on the ground floor of Rainier Square starting Thursday, November 5-16, before being moved to the Seattle Center for two months.

Experience Music Project combines the interpretive aspects of a traditional museum, the educational role of a school, the state-of-the-art research facilities of a specialized library, and the audience-drawing qualities of live performances and popular attractions. Visit EMP's award-winning Web site at http://www.experience.org.

Experience Music Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Experience Music Project is a trademark of Experience Music Project.