March 19–23, 2014
De Brakke Grond
Amsterdam
voicecreatureoftransition.rietveldacademie.nl
Though invisible and intangible, the voice, generator of both pleasure and power, is always present in our lives.
Having followed a preliminary program of practical master classes and more discursive presentations, the students of the Rietveld Academie were asked to investigate the possibilities offered by the voice at the dawn of the 21st century. The result is a fusion of making and thinking, presented in a theater space in the heart of Amsterdam’s old city center.
From March 19 to 23, the students’ artistic research outcomes will be shared with the general public. The program also features a four-day performative symposium convened and moderated by four guest curators each focussing on specific aspects of the voice.
Wednesday, March 19
The opening day will feature unique interactive performances and presentations by the students. Analog sound works, multimedia installations, opera and silent works will form an ongoing setting for the symposium. The show will feature more than 35 individual and collective contributions.
Thursday, March 20
“The Right To Silence,” curated and presented by Lawrence Abu Hamdan
A daylong exploration of how voices are both heard and silenced; listening itself will be interpreted in its many forms and affects, allowing us to understand both the frontiers of the voice and the tireless battle to govern and contain it. With contributions by Noah Angell, Ali Kaviani (Silent University), Anna Kipervaser, Maha Mamoun and Haytham Al Wardany, Kobe Matthys (Agence), Niall Moore, James Parker and Tom Rice.
Friday, March 21
“Resonance and Transmission: from one voice to another,” curated and presented by If I Can’t Dance I Don’t Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution
A new generation of feminist thinkers and contemporary artists will come together during a day of reflection on the voice and its relationship with the speaker and the receiver, including the transformation that occurs during its re-articulation by someone else. With contributions by Frederique Bergholtz, Federica Bueti, Susan Gibb, Sharon Hayes, Alex Martinis Roe, Wendelien van Oldenborgh, Francesco Ventrella and Camilla Wills.
Saturday, March 22
“‘Speak up, child!’—Voicing The Void Between Subjectivity And Subjection,” curated and presented by Ruth Noack
Focused on children’s speech, this day of listening and responding to the voices inhabiting an in-between space generated by language will start out with Danica Dakić’s video projection Emily (2010), in which image and sound encounter each other in an uncanny alliance. Emily seems to be a willing subject in her own subjection to language, possibly because her command of language gives her a voice in the first place, thus granting her access to subjecthood. With contributions by May Adadol Ingawanij, Lina Campanella, Danica Dakić, Anna Daucikova, Luis Jacob, Yunjoo Kwak, Natascha Noack, Ruth Noack, Imogen Stidtworthy and Simon Wachsmuth.
Sunday, March 23
“Must a Song always be a Song!,” curated and presented by Mark Beasley
“Must a Song” presents four vocalists, performers and composers with unique histories and connections to vocal composition and Extended Vocal Technique, ranging from the popular to the avant-garde. The day will include listening sessions and talks connecting the vocal compositions of Luciano Berio with those of Whitney Houston and DJ Screw. With contributions by Joan La Barbara, Gelsey Bell, Mark Beasley, Nicholas Bullen (Napalm Death, Scorn) and Sue Tompkins (Life Without Buildings).
VOICE ~ CREATURE OF TRANSITION will be brought to a close with the first public performance by the Grand Rietveld Choir, directed by composer Samuel Vriezen. More than a hundred first-year students will demonstrate how their unique voices can form a vocal community.
Studium Generale Rietveld Academie is an exploratory theory program aimed at students and faculty across all departments and disciplines, as well as the general public. Studium Generale is curated by Gabriëlle Schleijpen, assisted by Jort van der Laan.
Rietveld Uncut is an annual joint presentation revealing the process of making within the Rietveld Academie to the outside world. The program is guided by Tomas Adolfs and Tarja Szaraniec, this year in collaboration with Robin Vanbesien.
