Super Critical Mass
SUPER CRITICAL MASS is an ongoing sonic arts project. It explores spatialised, massed ensembles of performers all playing the same instrument. Instead of the more typical elements of melody and accompaniment, the project focuses on density, texture and architecture. The overall goal is to create super-large ensembles for over 100 performers -- these will become the SUPER MASSES. To this end, we are conducting research and development phases with smaller ensemble clusters through residencies and events -- these are the SUB MASSES.
To date we have worked with flutes, but soon will also work with various woodwind and brass instruments (eg, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone).
Performers are sourced locally, both professionals and amateurs alike. Working together under the musical direction of Janet McKay, performers rehearse and perform simple algorithms (generative, memorisable scores) created by the project directors as well as guest composers and sound artists. These algorithms are designed to take into account the performers' interactions with their instrument, each other, and the surrounding space. Audiences can then walk around or sit within the resultant, evolving sound-fields.
DIRECTED BY: Julian Day, Luke Jaaniste, Janet McKay
PERFORMANCES
2008 - Critical Mass (Sub Mass 1), Sydney Children's Festival, Carriageworks
2009 - Sculptured Sounds (Sub Mass 2), Qld Conservatorium of Music
2009 - Silver Swarms (Sub Mass 3), Brisbane Festival "Under The Radar"
2010 - Sub Mass 4, Brisbane City Council "Inhabit Fiesta"
2010 - Sub Mass 5, Shopfront, Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
PERFORMERS
Daan Bevan, Fotini Box, Maxine Byrne, Gabrielle Carbon, Madeline Carey, Jeska Charlesworth, Amy Clements, Sarah Collins, Carolyn Craig, Tessa Crawford, William Deeb, Corinne Edgeworth, Elizabeth Egan, Hayley Forster, Maddie Forster, Rachael Francis, Olivia Ginman, Michael Gow, Andrew Haselgrove, Emily Healey, Victoria Healy, Latham Horn, Jo Lagerlow, Ella Lockett, Anthony Ma, Anne MacAskill, Thomas Melton, Stephanie Miller, Nadia Myers, Ethan Newton, Jasmin O'Donovan, Kirralee Parsons, Jane Paxton, Rhiannon Porritt, Hannah Reardon-Smith, Caitlin Reid, Breanna Reynolds-West, Cynthia Richards, Margaret Ryan, Maja Salamon, Jarrod Schindler, Laura Stewart, Emily Symmons, Hoa Tran, Crystal Tsai, Sarah Walker, Bobbi Wang, Alice Webster, Sophie Weston, Erin Wilkinson.
COMPOSERS
Damian Barbeler, Erik Griswold, Julian Day, Luke Jaaniste, Janet McKay
SCM website coming soon!
To date we have worked with flutes, but soon will also work with various woodwind and brass instruments (eg, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone).
Performers are sourced locally, both professionals and amateurs alike. Working together under the musical direction of Janet McKay, performers rehearse and perform simple algorithms (generative, memorisable scores) created by the project directors as well as guest composers and sound artists. These algorithms are designed to take into account the performers' interactions with their instrument, each other, and the surrounding space. Audiences can then walk around or sit within the resultant, evolving sound-fields.
DIRECTED BY: Julian Day, Luke Jaaniste, Janet McKay
PERFORMANCES
2008 - Critical Mass (Sub Mass 1), Sydney Children's Festival, Carriageworks
2009 - Sculptured Sounds (Sub Mass 2), Qld Conservatorium of Music
2009 - Silver Swarms (Sub Mass 3), Brisbane Festival "Under The Radar"
2010 - Sub Mass 4, Brisbane City Council "Inhabit Fiesta"
2010 - Sub Mass 5, Shopfront, Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
PERFORMERS
Daan Bevan, Fotini Box, Maxine Byrne, Gabrielle Carbon, Madeline Carey, Jeska Charlesworth, Amy Clements, Sarah Collins, Carolyn Craig, Tessa Crawford, William Deeb, Corinne Edgeworth, Elizabeth Egan, Hayley Forster, Maddie Forster, Rachael Francis, Olivia Ginman, Michael Gow, Andrew Haselgrove, Emily Healey, Victoria Healy, Latham Horn, Jo Lagerlow, Ella Lockett, Anthony Ma, Anne MacAskill, Thomas Melton, Stephanie Miller, Nadia Myers, Ethan Newton, Jasmin O'Donovan, Kirralee Parsons, Jane Paxton, Rhiannon Porritt, Hannah Reardon-Smith, Caitlin Reid, Breanna Reynolds-West, Cynthia Richards, Margaret Ryan, Maja Salamon, Jarrod Schindler, Laura Stewart, Emily Symmons, Hoa Tran, Crystal Tsai, Sarah Walker, Bobbi Wang, Alice Webster, Sophie Weston, Erin Wilkinson.
COMPOSERS
Damian Barbeler, Erik Griswold, Julian Day, Luke Jaaniste, Janet McKay
SCM website coming soon!