The Atlanta Opera, in collaboration with Georgia Tech Arts, will host a cross-disciplinary exploration of memory, caregiving, and artificial intelligence surrounding the world premiere of Water Memory (Jala Smriti) by Vaibu Mohan and Kitty Brazelton, including an immersive interactive exhibition and a post-performance talkback featuring artists, neuroscientists, gerontologists, and technology researchers.

Water Memory (Jala Smriti)

June 12 | 7:30pm & June 14 | 3:00pm, 2026 | Georgia Tech Ferst Center for the Arts

At the center of Water Memory (Jala Smriti) is Janani, a mother experiencing cognitive decline, whose shifting reality moves between memory and the present. As her children struggle to support her, her son develops an AI-powered “Memory Processing Operator” (MPO) designed to preserve her sense of self, raising urgent questions about the role of technology in caregiving.

“In the end, this project became more than just a collaboration; it became a bridge between our worlds. Through our opera, we created something that transcended our differences—a deeply personal story about the power of memory, family, and connection.” Vaibu Mohan, librettist.

Soft Systems

June 2–14, 2026 | Georgia Tech Ferst Center for the Arts Lobby

In collaboration with The Atlanta Opera, the Ferst Center for the Arts invites audiences to extend their journey beyond the stage and into Soft Systems, an immersive art and technology exhibition inspired by the world premiere of Water Memory.

This interactive exhibition explores the fluid nature of memory through multisensory installations that engage audiences through sight, sound, touch, and spatial awareness. Just as Water Memory navigates the emotional and neurological landscapes of remembrance, this gallery offers audiences a tactile and experiential entry point into those same themes.

At the heart of the exhibition is a focus on empathy and accessibility. Drawing inspiration from assistive technologies and tools used by individuals living with dementia, the installations highlight how design, innovation, and artistry can support memory retention and reduce anxiety while fostering moments of connection, recognition, and comfort. Visitors are invited to encounter sensory environments that soothe, stimulate, and reconnect.

From responsive soundscapes and interactive objects, each installation serves as both an artistic expression and a functional exploration of how we connect and care for one another through technology and community-centered design.

Participants include:

• Emma Chammah, Atlanta-based Artist
• Sylvia Janicki, PhD graduate at Georgia Tech
• Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation, Tools for Life and Assistive Technology at Georgia Tech
• Alliance Theater, Memory Café, Creative experiences for people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

Post-Performance Talkback

June 14, 2026 | Georgia Tech Ferst Center for the Arts Stage

Water Memory is a deeply personal, world-premiere opera exploring memory, family, and the evolving intersection of technology and human experience—particularly through the lens of dementia and caregiving.

Following the June 14, 3:00pm performance of Water Memory (Jala Smriti), presented in partnership with The Atlanta Opera and Georgia Tech Arts, audiences are invited to remain for a post-show talkback.

The discussion will feature: 

• Kitty Brazelton, New York-based American composer, bandleader, improviser, singer/songwriter, and instrumentalist
• Sal Kibler, MA, Gerontologist, Tools for Life/Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation
• Indira Mahajan, Soprano, Janani in Water Memory (Jala Smriti)
• Niharika Mathur, PhD candidate in Human-Centered Computing (HCC) at Georgia Tech
• Chris Rozell, Executive Director, Institute for Neuroscience, Neurotechnology, and Society; Julian T. Hightower Chaired Professor, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech

Immediately following the performance on Sunday, June 14, at the Ferst Center for the Arts. The talkback will last 60 minutes.