Watch the sound – listen to the gesture
(2024)
author(s): Kerstin Frödin
published in: Research Catalogue
This artistic PhD project is based on the author’s practice as a recorder player and chamber musician in contemporary Western art music. Through an initial study of the embodied and tacit knowledge of chamber musicians and how it is articulated through gestural interaction during performance, the perspective of the thesis widens to explore how such qualities can be used as a creative resource in interdisciplinary collaboration. At its core, the PhD work has explored long-term collaborative processes in projects where a series of chamber music works have been brought to a staged context, but always keeping the qualities of chamber music at its centre. The research questions that emerge from these conceptual and artistic aims are:
– How can I understand and transfer the communicative and embodied qualities inherent in chamber music playing to staged interdisciplinary contexts?
– How can the concept of the gestural-sonic object, and the multimodal understanding of human perception which it implies, constitute both an analytical tool and a source for artistic experimentation?
– How can musical interpretation be applied in the creation of staged interdisciplinary performances?
The method and design of the project builds on collaborations with artists from the fields of composition, choreography, dance, theatre and visual arts. In the projects, the participating artists have aimed to explore and develop collaborative methods and staged formats where the artforms at the same time have been considered as autonomous and as part of a compound whole. The results of the artistic work are published online in the Research Catalogue.
The project findings suggest that interdisciplinary approaches, such as experimental music theatre, composed theatre and choreomusical practices, may enable the liberation from traditional roles, hierarchies and predetermined formats and can lead to what can be described as a radical interpretation of the original score. Through a study of musical gesture – building on a theoretical framework grounded in embodied cognition and phenomenology – the thesis presents examples, both artistic and theoretical, of processes through which boundaries between artistic disciplines have been consciously blurred, thereby providing novel creative opportunities for the classical music performer.
The TIME, SPACE, and GESTURE in a crossdisciplinary context
(2024)
author(s): Elina Akselrud
published in: RUUKKU - Studies in Artistic Research
In any performance genre, the use of time is a fundamental element that shapes the artistic experience. When artists from different disciplines come together to collaborate on the same material, the perception and utilization of time as an artistic device can undergo significant transformations. This exposition delves into the intricate realm of non-verbal artistic communication between performers from diverse disciplines, with a specific focus on how the actions of one artist can profoundly influence and shape the decisions of another.
To explore this dynamic interplay, a compelling case study is presented, examining the enchanting character miniatures for solo piano composed by Alexander Scriabin during the middle and late periods of his life. These exquisite musical pieces are interwoven with the fluidity and spontaneity of contemporary dance improvisation, creating a rich tapestry of artistic expression.
Within this crossdisciplinary collaboration, the exposition sheds light on the ephemeral layers of communication that exist between performers. It delves into thought-provoking topics such as the sense of flow, movement, and structure within the work, the role of physical distance between performers and its intricate relationship with the passage of time, the density of content (i.e., musical material) in the context of crossdisciplinary exploration, and the profound significance of gestural communication between artists.
Through this crosspollination of ideas and artistic exchange, the potential for profound and transformative artistic impact emerges. In essence, this exposition offers a thought-provoking exploration of the transcendent power of artistic communication between performers from different disciplines.
"Hope is a muscle tht allows us to connect"
(last edited: 2024)
author(s): Eleni Palogou and Tamara van der Laarse
This exposition is in progress and its share status is: visible to all.
Inspired by Bjork's lyrics (Atopos), 'Hope is a muscle that allows us to connect,' Eleni and Tamara collaboratively shape this project. Treating hope as a resilient and adaptive muscle, they explore through photography, scenography, sound, music, and light. Nostalgically embracing childhood memories with a gentle retro vibe, they gently unveil enduring fragments of hope. Eleni Palogou, as a scenographer, weaves visual narratives, while Tamara, as a sound artist, complements the installation with an ambient sound piece crafted from various recordings of memories. Together, they enrich this exploration of quiet sources of hope that persist even in the darkest corners of our times.