Japan’s Eye: Circom joins Dark Mofo
PRESS RELEASE:
This June will seeRed Bull Music Academymaking its inaugural appearance as part of the Museum of Old and NewArt'sDark Mofofestival in Tasmania, as the two cultural institutions combine to present a highly unusual, ground-breaking, musical performance. “CIRCOM”is orchestrated by none other thanYamantakaEyeand was originally inspired by the Red Bull Music Academy 2014 event:Chaos Conductor.
EYEis commonly known as the closest thing to a frontman the Japanese experimental rock band Boredoms ever had and has evolved into one of the most highly regarded members of the global visual arts scene. A versatile yet instantly identifiable mixed-media artist,EYEexists across a wide palette as a musician, performer and visual artist. Releasing seven staggered studio albums,EYE’s highly influential and always evolving ensemble has stemmed various incarnations, spin-offs, collaborations and close associations with the likes ofSonic Youth, Matt Groening, Weenand most notablyBeck.
ForCIRCOM,EYEleads a group of eight participants through the Jo, Ha, Kyu, which is a traditional Japanese three-act structure. Jo: beginning, slow, quiet, silence, static. Ha: development, brisk, active. Kyu: drastic, intense, ending.
The participants willbe seated aroundEYEin a circle as he conducts themin the round. Combining musicians and non-musicians, each operating a laptop and audio interface to create the sonic texture,EYEwill direct the circle of laptop wielding performers using an entirely improvised sequence of specialised hand signals as shown in this recording ofChaos Conductorat last year’s Red Bull Music Academy in Tokyo.
Those that don’t know what to expect atCIRCOM, should turn back time to the auspicious 07/07/07, whenEYEfamously orchestrated77Boadrum, a synchronised drumming circle of 77 modern avant-garde rock percussionists, becoming the foundation for a series of astronomical annual numerical performances that also included88Boadrumon 8/8/08,Boadrum9on 9/9/09, andBoadrum10on 10/10/10.
EYE's latest incarnationCIRCOMtakes his role as conductor into new territory, as he leads the participants and audiences alike into an extemporized musical experience unlike anything else – teaming up withRed Bull Music Academyas they continue their quest on providing Australia with some of the most forward-thinking, extraordinary electronic talent the world has to offer.
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