Visiting Hours: Mem1

Event information

Visiting Hours: Mem1
with Special Guests Attila Faravelli + Daniel Thomas Freeman

SoundFjord, the UK's only sound art devoted gallery and research unit, is delighted to present an evening of new audio work by the US-based electro-acoustic ensemble, Mem1 (Mark and Laura Cetilia).

SoundFjord are pleased to introduce special guest performers, Attila Faravelli and Daniel Thomas Freeman (Rameses III).

The evening will be a showcase for Mem1 to present audio work created during their Visiting Hours residency/exhibition at SoundFjord. (The residency runs from 09-22 January 2012, with audio-visual installation running 21 Jan-25 Feb 2012.)

The work itself will document Mem1's experience of London and will utilise location recordings, captured radio spectra and recordings made with their musical instruments (cello, voice, and analogue electronics, as well as custom software/hardware that allow for real-time manipulation of these sound sources). For their associated AV installation at SoundFjord, the audio will also intertwine with locally recorded video footage.

Attila Faravelli is known for his specific method of injecting sound through a self-built array of modified speakers. During his live set, Attila will shape sonic output through passive acoustic phenomena. This will open up the stage and emphasise the intrinsic relational quality of sound with its reflections by physical objects and space (acoustics).

Daniel Thomas Freeman will unveil new works for violin, keyboard, tuned percussion and electronics. Daniel will also perform pieces selected from his acclaimed debut album, The Beauty Of Doubting Yourself (Home Normal, 2011).

Further information on the residency and exhibition: www.soundfjord.org

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Biographies:

Mem1 seamlessly blends the sounds of cello and electronics to create a limitless palette of sonic possibilities. In their improvisation-based performances, Mark and Laura Cetilia's use of custom hardware and software, in conjunction with a uniquely subtle approach to extended cello technique and realtime modular synthesis patching, results in the creation of a single voice rather than a duet between two individuals. Their music moves beyond melody, lyricism and traditional structural confines, revealing an organic evolution of sound that has been called "a perfect blend of harmony and cacophony" (Forced Exposure).

Founded in Los Angeles in 2003, Mem1 has traveled extensively, performing at Issue Project Room, Roulette, REDCAT/Disney Hall, Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Electronic Church (Berlin), the Laptopia Festival (Tel-Aviv), the San Francisco Electronic Music Festival, and the Borealis Festival (Bergen). They have taken part in residencies at Harvestworks in New York, STEIM and Kunstenaarslogies in the Netherlands and USF Verftet in Bergen, Norway.

In 2009, they created Visiting Hours, a site-specific installation for the Museums of Bat Yam (Israel); this winter, they travel to London to create Visting Hours II, a site-specific installation for SoundFjord.

Their collaborative works with media artists Liora Belford and Kadet Kuhne have been screened and installed at venues including the Institute for Contemporary Art (London), the Hordaland Kunstsenter (Bergen), the Sundance Film Festival, and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco).

Throughout their career, they have collaborated with a variety of artists including the Penderecki String Quartet, Steve Roden, Jan Jelinek, Frank Bretschneider, and Stephen Vitiello. Age of Insects, a full-length album with Vitiello, is now available through Dragon's Eye Recordings. Together, Mem1 curates the experimental music series Ctrl+Alt+Repeat (www.ctrl-alt-repeat.com) and the record label Estuary Ltd (www.estuary-ltd.com).

Websites: www.mem1.com | www.laura.cetilia.org | www.mark.cetilia.org

Attila Faravelli is an italian electro-acoustic composer and performer. His solo music is released by Die Schachtel. With Andrea Belfi he is half of the duo Tumble (their music is also released on Die Schachtel). He plays with Nicola Ratti (Coriolis Sounds/Boring Machines) and builds temporary sound installations in various urban and extra urban areas with the artist Nicola Martini (their sound work is released on the label Presto!?).

Website: www.attilafaravelli.com

Daniel Thomas Freeman is a founding and current member of Rameses III, the South London group that has, over the last ten years, released albums on labels such as Type, Important, Digitalis and Under The Spire, and who have supported such genre luminaries as Stars Of The Lid, Current 93, Murcof, Fursaxa, James Blackshaw, Yellow Swans and Astral Social Club.

His debut album The Beauty Of Doubting Yourself was released on Home Normal in June 2011. His recordings have also been included on the fundraiser album, A Silent Swaying Breath (www.music.audiogourmet.co.uk/album/a-silent-swaying-breath).

Websites: www.descendingangel.com | www.ramesesiii.com

SoundFjord is a not-for-profit sound art devoted organisation. As a gallery and research unit (with nomadic tendencies) it supports the sonic arts in its myriad forms. www.soundfjord.org