In December Ana Baer-Carrillo and I collaborated on Doleo Æternus, an evening-length work for musicians, computer, and video which was presented at the ISIM conference in Denver. This is a long and tumultuous work in the history of Avant Media, and it spans almost the entire duration that Avant Media has been in existence. From our first show in New York City in January of 2007, where we premiered what was then Anger, to our most recent performance, Ana’s work has been a powerful influence on my work and a guiding force keeping me grounded enough in reality to reign in, albeit ever so slightly, my penchant for the extreme. (more…)
Dear Music-Theatre Group
Your performance last night of Arjuna’s Dilema at BAM was a travesty of obvious choices and cliché after cliché. The next time you consider creating a short opera based on the Bhagavad Gita, here are some common pratfalls to avoid:
A night of minimalism and belgian dance
Last night I went to see Rosas Danst Rosas, or significantly less elegantly: Steve Reich Evening, at BAM. The program had a lot going for it, and for the most part it completely delivered.
The program contained two pieces I have heard of and knew well, but had never actually heard: Pendulum Music by Steve Reich and Poème Symphonique pour cent Métronomes by Györgi Ligeti (a Ligeti piece on Steve Reich Evening admittedly a bit odd, but it works as a really nice precursor to drumming). Pendulum Music opened the evening, and it was a beautiful realization with two speakers in a nice beating interval. Once the audience stopped snickering (same during the Ligeti, although that was to the point of shhshing the people in front of us) and we were actually able to listen, it was beautiful. (more…)
on Multimedia and Collaboration
An article in the LA Times today has me thinking about the type of work we are making, and the experience we are trying to create for our audience.
“You no longer market a performance that you sit and look at. What you offer is a complete experience that begins before the performance even starts and may continue afterward.” – John Munger in an article by Mike Boehm, LA Times
The article goes on to talk about non-artistic elements for an evening, as well as familiarity, reality TV, and many other concepts and tactics for attracting audiences. But what I found interesting is how so much of what this article talks about is exactly what we’ve been doing. (more…)
Crimson Drizzle : Minimalism in the Rain
Part II: The Performer’s Perspective
I don’t think I need to say “Crimson Grail is an ambitious piece of music.” I knew going into the recently failed attempt of performing Rhys Chatham’s magnum opus at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center that the sheer practicalities of it were going to be something to witness. And that they most certainly were. The whole production crew was not only skilled, but adept at handling the needs of 200 guitar players and their heaps of gear. By my calculations they were responsible for the care, feeding and shelter of half a million dollars in gear, probably more; I saw some Marshall Stacks and a vintage SG.
Rehearsals were an enjoyable process considering how mind numbingly boring they were. The first two days went by with little to report. Turns out some folks didn’t know how to read music. Those who did were surprised. Each camp half snickered about the other – one was taking it way too seriously, the other was shocked the organizers invited non-professional guitar players, but it was all in good fun. The rehearsals served mostly to give everyone a chance to meet their section and buddy buddy with some guys (and here I will pause to mention: 10 ladies were a part of 200 performers) who share similar interests if not hair-dos, weight classes and taste in vintage wrestling t-shirts. There were some good ones, trust me.
The caliber of people involved in all aspects of this piece was stellar. Crimson Grail NYC was cast with the friendliest group of 190 dudes and 10 ladies with guitars I have ever met. This fact made the rehearsals worth going to, because no matter how long we practiced extended tremolos or talked about the Soprano transition to Section G in part 2A, we were never, ever going to play that piece the way it is written.
There. I said it.
And here is why. (more…)
Minimalism in the Rain
Part 1 – The Audience Perspective
On friday night, I attended the huge 800 years of minimalism event at Lincoln Center. Mostly because Mike was going to be playing one of 200 electric guitars in Rhys Chatham’s “A Crimson Grail” which is a truly spectactular piece.
It rained.
Torrentially.
This is precisely why I don’t like outdoor concerts. (more…)
“Anger” World Premiere
On January 25, 2007 Avant Media presented the world premiere of Anger the pivotal immersion performance with music by Randy Gibson and video by Ana Baer-Carrillo. Additional artists included Alicia Wargo – sculptures and costumes; Oscar Henriquez – video typography; Mike Rugnetta – guitar, banjo and pre-show music; and Laine Rettmer – voice.
The performance, held at 20 Greene in SoHo, NYC, was completely sold out. Thank you to all of our audience members and supporters who came out for this one-night-only event. This is sure to be a piece that will continue its evolution and become on of Avant Media’s signature performances. Plans are already in the works for expanded video sections and further musical development.
Click here to read the full program (1.2mb / PDF Format)
Photos by Josh Corkhum
“Anger” World Premiere
Anger, by Randy Gibson and Ana Baer-Carrillo, will have its world premiere on January 25, 2007 at 20 Greene in SoHo, New York. Performance will begin at 8pm, followed by a reception with the artists.
Music will be performed live by Randy Gibson (Piano, Crotales), Mike Rugnetta (Guitar, Banjo) and Laine Rettmer (Voice). Augmenting the live music will be four channels of continuous video by Ana Baer-Carrillo projected on the performers and surrounding the audience, alongside sculpture and costumes by Alicia Wargo.
Tickets will be available for sale from Dec. 1, 2006, check back soon for more information.
