I have been invited from December '07 to January '08 to undertake two proposed projects: a responsive sound & video design performance environment; and composition of a shakuhachi and koto double concerto integrating traditional and contemporary idioms. The responsive sound & video design performance environment, InterTOKYO will use real time generative music, images and sound collected in the Tokyo neighbourhood and sounds derived from shakuhachi original sounds together with gesture tracking computer vision and wireless sensing to trigger exploration by subtle gestures of the shakuhachi performer. In the end, the piece is intended for multimedia performance in 2008 World Shakuhachi Festival but I will trial performance at Youkobo, where it should be a thought-invoking locative piece to facilitate community engagement. Collecting its material involves photographic, audio recording and video exploration of the neighbourhood, following the theme of 'finding Zen in modern Japan', a junction epitomised by Tokyo, examining the clash/fusion/collaboration/complementarity/co-existence of the Traditional and technology, assimilating the physical and digital in an aesthetic environment. In preparation for the composition, I hope to collaborate with and seek advice from Kakizakai and to audit some traditional music sessions at the Tokyo Geijitsu Daigaku (Tokyo University of Fine Arts), recommended to me by Tom Heneghan at work [his former University].
Friday, 9 February 2007
Youkobo Art Space Tokyo Residency
Youkobo Art Space is located in metropolitan Tokyo, 15km west from the city centre, near to Kichijoji Station. It consists of a gallery space, 2 studios and 2 apartments, one each Japanese and Western style equipped with heating, appliances, cooking utensils, LAN Internet access, a bicycle, etc. The co-directors are Hiroko (sculptor) and Tatsuhiko Murata who have welcomed over 70 artists of 15 different nationalities since founding Youkobo Art Space in 1984. Youkobo Art Space's primary objective is to support and enhance the creativity of artists by offering opportunities for artistic investigation on urban issues in a contemporary Japanese setting. Its various programs are committed to providing the local community with creative stimulus by promoting cultural exchange between international artists and local citizens. 
I have been invited from December '07 to January '08 to undertake two proposed projects: a responsive sound & video design performance environment; and composition of a shakuhachi and koto double concerto integrating traditional and contemporary idioms. The responsive sound & video design performance environment, InterTOKYO will use real time generative music, images and sound collected in the Tokyo neighbourhood and sounds derived from shakuhachi original sounds together with gesture tracking computer vision and wireless sensing to trigger exploration by subtle gestures of the shakuhachi performer. In the end, the piece is intended for multimedia performance in 2008 World Shakuhachi Festival but I will trial performance at Youkobo, where it should be a thought-invoking locative piece to facilitate community engagement. Collecting its material involves photographic, audio recording and video exploration of the neighbourhood, following the theme of 'finding Zen in modern Japan', a junction epitomised by Tokyo, examining the clash/fusion/collaboration/complementarity/co-existence of the Traditional and technology, assimilating the physical and digital in an aesthetic environment. In preparation for the composition, I hope to collaborate with and seek advice from Kakizakai and to audit some traditional music sessions at the Tokyo Geijitsu Daigaku (Tokyo University of Fine Arts), recommended to me by Tom Heneghan at work [his former University].
I have been invited from December '07 to January '08 to undertake two proposed projects: a responsive sound & video design performance environment; and composition of a shakuhachi and koto double concerto integrating traditional and contemporary idioms. The responsive sound & video design performance environment, InterTOKYO will use real time generative music, images and sound collected in the Tokyo neighbourhood and sounds derived from shakuhachi original sounds together with gesture tracking computer vision and wireless sensing to trigger exploration by subtle gestures of the shakuhachi performer. In the end, the piece is intended for multimedia performance in 2008 World Shakuhachi Festival but I will trial performance at Youkobo, where it should be a thought-invoking locative piece to facilitate community engagement. Collecting its material involves photographic, audio recording and video exploration of the neighbourhood, following the theme of 'finding Zen in modern Japan', a junction epitomised by Tokyo, examining the clash/fusion/collaboration/complementarity/co-existence of the Traditional and technology, assimilating the physical and digital in an aesthetic environment. In preparation for the composition, I hope to collaborate with and seek advice from Kakizakai and to audit some traditional music sessions at the Tokyo Geijitsu Daigaku (Tokyo University of Fine Arts), recommended to me by Tom Heneghan at work [his former University].
