Active Crossover at Arnolfini, Bristol, UK
‘Active Crossover’ is a term referring to speaker construction , meaning that the speaker is transmitting sound information consistently and accurately.
‘Active Crossover’ is also a sound art based project from Simon Whetham which comprises an exhibition, performance and workshops. The exhibition’s first phase runs from 1st to 18th October in Arnolfini Dark Studio. See
www.activecrossover.co.uk for more details.
Throughout May this year Simon was in Tallinn, Estonia, as Artist-in-Residence at the Polymer Factory Culturehouse. In addition to creating new work, he presented work and practices; ran listening, field recording and composition workshops; and created a sound accompaniment to a performance by renowned Estonian artist Peeter Allik.
As part of the first phase of ‘Active Crossover’, John Grzinich (www.maaheli.ee), Maksim Shentelev (www.bernurits.com) and Simon Whetham (www.simonwhetham.co.uk) will be running sound and listening workshops:
Workshop 1 – Bristol Sound Locations
Sound Workshop on listening and participatory activity
26th-27th September 2009 – 12pm-5pm – £10
This workshop aims to engage the participants in a series of exercises that look at the relationship between sound, space and human perception. The workshop starts with the concept of site-specific artistic activity while integrating contemporary sound recording practices that cover areas of „performance‰, „field recording‰ and „improvisation‰. With the site being the prime focus, the artist as actor and instigator uses the means of sound to investigate the qualities of of the surrounding space and his or place in it.
Workshop led by:
John Grzinich has had over 15 years experience in working with the sound medium in experimental music, field recording, composition, performance, installation and workshop settings. His composition have been published on a number of international record labels. He has performed and toured throughout Europe and the US. He is currently a media lab coordinator and program coordinator at MOKS – Center for Art and Social Practice in Southeast Estonia.
Maksims Shentelevs is an architect, instrument maker and active phonographer based in Riga Latvia. He works primarily with the spontaneous music collective Bernu Rits and has released his field recordings on the German based Greunerecorder label. Together with John Grzinich and Patrick McGinley they have led numerous sound workshops, projects and events that forms a body of unique participatory activity both with collaborating artists and the audiences they work with.
Examples of workshops:
http://maaheli.ee/main/sound-projects
Workshop registration: simon@simonwhetham.co.uk
Workshop 2 – Active listening and Field Recording
10th-11th October 2009 – 12pm-5pm – £10
An introduction to deeper listening and field recording, plus Simon will present work, methods and equipment ˆ which include digital recorders by Edirol and Zoom, an extremely directional Sennheiser microphone, contact microphones build by Jez riley French that detect sound through surfaces and an Aquarian hydrophone that records sounds under water.
There will be a presentation of Tallinn sounds captured during Simon’s residency.
Participants will go on a short walk while blindfolded, experiencing the sounds of the city without visual distractions, to realise how complex the sound environment is.
Groups will be limited to ten participants.
Workshop led by:
Simon Whetham has both performed extensively and had his work presented in many galleries in the UK and in Europe. His sound compositions have been released through a number of specialist record labels, such as 1000fussler, Trente Oiseaux, Entr’acte, Gruenrekorder, Con-V and Lens Records, with forthcoming releases from And/OAR and Mystery Sea.
Example of previous workshop:
http://activecrossover.blogspot.comWorkshop registration:simon@simonwhetham.co.uk
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