Piksel [Bergen] in collaboration with Lydgalleriet presents:
Neanderthal Electronics workshop with Derek Holzer.
.:::REGISTRATION INFO:::.
Please register early for the workshop, as it is limited to 10 places! The workshop fees include electronic components + use of tools.
***DATES: Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May 2009 10.00-16.00 daily
***LOCATION: PikselHut, Georgernes Verft 12, Bergen, Norway
***COST: 500 NOK (approx 56 EUR)
***FINAL PRESENTATION: Friday 29 May, 19.00, PikselHut
***REGISTRATION: post (AT) lydgalleriet (DOT) no +47 48 23 78 88
The workshop is organised by Piksel [Bergen] in collaboration with Lydgalleriet and Ny Musikk Bergen. A part of the Off_Piksel series of research and events exploring Free/Libre Technologies in Art.
.:::NEANDERTHAL ELECTRONICS:::.
More than 40,000 years ago, our Neanderthal predecessors invented the first music instruments from simple objects around them (bones and stones, sticks and skins…), without reference to any existing music history, and primarily for their own pleasure rather than that of others.
Nowadays, we use complex audio hardware and software which make it “easier” to make music, so long as we channel our creativity into such socially acceptable avenues as Western Classical or Minimal Techno. As with any established genre, the results are often completely predictable, and therefore quite boring.
But some of us, deep in our wild hearts, still long for the Stone Age simplicity of pure noise!
This 5 day workshop is designed for 8-10 people, possibly with a background in sound, but with no previous electronics experience. They are shown how to use simple objects from our modern environment (resistors, capacitors, transistors, LEDs, integrated circuit chips…) to design and build their own personal, customized primitive noise synthesizers. Each is a tiny world of its own, using primitive analog computers in combination with feedback, sensors and audio inputs to create a unique sound. Even from the same plan, no two are alike!
Participants are encouraged to use found materials for the construction of their personal instrument. The workshop concludes with a group performance and an invitation to the audience to experiment with each of the instruments which have been created.
.:::VIDEOS FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS::::.
http://www.vimeo.com/album/64426
.:::ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:::.
Derek Holzer (1972) is an American sound artist living in Berlin, whose current interests include DIY analog electronics, sound art, field recording and the meeting points of electroacoustic, noise, improv and heavy metal music. He has played live experimental sound as Macumbista or Derek Holzer–as well as taught workshops in Pure Data and electronics–across Europe, North America, Brazil and New Zealand.
http://blog.myspace.com/macumbista
http://www.vimeo.com/macumbista
http://www.umatic.nl/info_derek.html