Conference-festival

ABOUT

“[…] the voice is elusive, always changing, becoming, elapsing, with unclear contours […]” – Mladen Dolar in: A Voice And Nothing More (2006)

With the artistic research project VOICE ~ CREATURE OF TRANSITION the Rietveld Academie has invited its students to investigate the potential for “pleasure” and “power” offered by the voice in the 21st century.

Practice and theory will now come together in De Brakke Grond, a theater space in the heart of Amsterdam’s old city center.

An exhibition displaying the student’s findings will frame a four-day symposium convened and moderated by:

– Lawrence Abu Hamdan (London)
– If I Can’t Dance I Don’t Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution (Amsterdam)
– Ruth Noack (Berlin)
– Mark Beasley (New York)

These guest curators have each inaugurated a discursive and performative program of one day. If around in Amsterdam on March 19, 20, 21, 22 or 23 you are most welcome to join.

Thursday March 20

The Right To Silence

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 El-Wardany, Kobe Matthys (Agence), Niall Moore, James Parker and Tom Rice. Read More

Friday March 21

Resonance and Transmission:
from one voice to another

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 come will 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. Read More

Saturday March 22

“Speak up, child!” - Voicing The Void Between Subjectivity And Subjection

“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, Dominique Hurt, Anna Daucikova, Luis Jacob, Yunjoo Kwak, Natascha Noack, Ruth Noack, Imogen Stidtworthy and Simon Wachsmuth. Read More

Sunday March 23

Must a Song always be a Song!

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 Susanne Oberbeck (No Bra).

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. The world premiere of his new piece “This is a voice” incites more than a hundred first-year Rietveld students to demonstrate how their unique voices can form a vocal community. Read More