2008

Eleventh Annual Festival of Sound Art : The Instrument

23five Incorporated and the Graduate Division of San Francisco Art Institute present the annual Activating the Medium festival. The focus for the 2008 showcase of international sound art and experimental musicians is the instrument, in particular the parallel strategies that these artists employ in using conventional musical instruments alongside refined conceptual agendas and technological applications.

The first night featured a rare presentation of ZBIGNIEW KARKOWSKI's orchestral scores, performed with an ensemble that includes Ulrich Krieger (saxophone), Suzanne Thorpe (flute), Andy Strain (trombone), and Xopher Davidson (electronics). The American born Swiss artist JASON KAHN draws upon the internal architecture of the drum to construct a minimalist aesthetic of resonance, feedback, and the psychological implications of these sounds. Australia's TIM CATLIN centers his work around drone-based, immersive works primarily shaped by intense investigations upon acoustic and electric guitars. FRANCISCO MEIRINO, also from Switzerland, picks up the humble harmonica for his dynamic interplay between the programmed and the accidental. The evening opened with a solo performance by German saxophone player and composer ULRICH KRIEGER, who recently transcribed Lou Reed's infamous Metal Machine Music for classical instruments, performed by Zeitkratzer.

The second night is a free lecture at the San Francisco Art Institute by legendary minimalist composer PHILL NIBLOCK.

And the final night enjoys two performances from PHILL NIBLOCK collaborating with THOMAS ANKERSMIT, presenting long-form works for saxophone, electronics, and projected image.

Saturday, February 2
The San Francisco Art Institute, Lecture Hall
Performing Artists:
Zbigniew Karkowski
Tim Catlin
Francisco Merirno
Jason Kahn
Ulrich Krieger

Friday, February 22
The San Francisco Art Institute, Lecture Hall
Lecture:
Phill Niblock

Saturday, February 23
The San Francisco Art Institute, Lecture Hall
Performing Artists
Phill Niblock
Thomas Ankersmit

This year's Activating the Medium is made possible by the Graduate Division at SFAI, The Consulate General of the Netherlands, and The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.

Read a review of the festival here.