Staalplaat Soundsystem
Yokomono
Opening: 28 February 2008, 6-8pm
Exhibition: 29 February– 5 April 2008
This is the first UK presentation of the award winning sound art installation Yokomono by Staalplaat Soundsystem. The installation is inspired by the experience of driving in a car close to the Funkturm (Radio Tower) in Berlin, passing quickly in and out of different radio signals.
Yokomono consists of four toy car record players and a corresponding set of FM radios. The cars, known as vinyl killers, have been customized with wireless FM transmitters. As they spin around the vinyl, they transmit their signal to the radios which are tuned to a special Yokomono frequency.
By arranging the radios in groups it is possible to explore the architectural dimensions of the gallery space. Some radios are also mounted on a miniature train, literally driving through the interfering frequencies. An unstable sonic space is created as the vinyl killers run on batteries that will slow down during the installation, but not necessarily at the same rate.
Described as an ‘eclectic mix of techno culture and sound art installation’, Staalplaat Soundsystem use radio technology in a playful way to create a unique and adventurous installation.
Staalplaat Soundsystem was initiated by Geert-Jan Hobijn, founder of the Staalplaat music label and Carsten Stabenow founder of the Garage media art festival in Germany. Their work has been presented internationally at major festivals including Sonar (Barcelona), Transmediale (Berlin) and Mutek (Montreal). In 2006 Yokomono received a Prix Ars Electronica Honorary Mention Digital Musics.
For more information see www.staalplaat.org
Special Events:
AV Festival 08 Opening Gala
BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Friday 29 February, 8pm, tickets £6
Staalplaat Soundsystem present a live performance version of Yokomono, following the AV Festival 08 opening gala performance of John Cage’s Variations VII.
Advance booking recommended contact AV Festival Box Office: 0191 232 8289 / bookings@avfestival.co.uk
Exhibition produced by AV Festival in collaboration with alt.gallery
Part of AV Festival 08: Broadcast
International festival of electronic arts featuring visual art, music and moving image.
28 February - 8 March 2008
Newcastle, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Sunderland
www.avfestival.co.uk
Supported by alt.vinyl www.altvinyl.com
Media Sponsor: The Wire magazine www.thewire.co.uk
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