Seeing Sound

Sun 24th October 2010
This is an archive item from Supersonic 2010
Elsewhere

Seeing Sound Curated by Laura Coult
12PM – 7PM Fri – Sun
VIVID I 40 HEATH MILL LANE I BIRMINGHAM B9 4AR www.vivid.org.uk

Seeing Sound is an exhibition exploring the ways in which we experience sound as light, movement, noise, and colour. Spanning 70 years the programme draws together historical and contemporary moving image works including Ben Russell’s Black & White Trypps No. 3 (2007) which documents an audience’s collective freak-out during a performance by Rhode Island noise band Lightning Bolt; and Tony Conrad’s seminal work The Flicker (1966) a 30-minute film exploring the possibilities for harmonic expression using a sensory mode other than sound; audience reactions to the film ranged from disorientation, temporary hypnosis, and intense experiences of colours and patterns, to headaches and violent bouts of nausea, all seemingly caused by the pulsating light’s interaction with the brain’s alpha waves. Other artists include Stefan and Franciszka Themerson and Benedict Drew.

Live performances
Classical percussionist Joe Snape performs: Lärmlicht #1, for percussionist, 4-channel tape and 8 lightbulbs.

Mr.Underwood will stage a rare performance of Steve Reich’s Pendulum Music. Originally scored for “For Microphones, Amplifiers Speakers and Performers” this specially adapted version will be performed using four Noise Boxes / Optical Theremins, similar to those made in the workshop, and four torches.