Sound / Source MOMA PS1

Sound / Source MOMA PS1

Sound / Source was a day-long exploration of electroacoustic music in all its forms, featuring collaborations between legends, luminaries, and newcomers as they examine the interplay between human and machine sounds. Using the elasticity of the human voice and the endless expanse of its interpretation through electronic processing as a guiding principle, Sound / Source took at its center a rare live performance of pieces from Paul Lansky’s series of Idle Chatter compositions on the 30th anniversary of the series’ birth, including a new live vocal arrangement performed by members of Roomful of Teeth as well as an 8-channel surround sound arrangement performed by Lansky himself. The significant, continued resonance of these compositions will be explored in a panel with the composer and in a new interpretation by artist/composer Holly Herndon.

A special performance of Alvin Lucier’s classic piece I am sitting in a room launched the day’s festivities by exploring the resonant frequencies of MoMA PS1’s geodesic dome. Additional performances included sets by Tyondai Braxton and pianist Vicky Chow, and showcased new and vital pathways being forged in the electronic field. Chow performed composer and visual artist Tristan Perich’s Surface Image, on the occasion of the piece’s release on New Amsterdam Records.

Complementing the performances in the dome was a collection of new, site-specific sound installations filling the MoMA PS1 building from top to bottom, created by some of today’s most talented and challenging electronic artists. Nate Boyce and Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) collaborated on an installation in MoMA PS1’s basement Boiler Room. Daniel Wohl presented a live, performative installation with Olga Bell and Caroline Shaw in MoMA PS1’s Richard Serra room on the museum roof. A special score of elevator music created by electronic duo Lucky Dragons ferried viewers between the museum’s basement and rooftop spaces. In addition to these artist installations, MOOG created an interactive installation of handcrafted electronic instruments.

SOUND / SOURCE ORGANIZED BY JOCELYN MILLER, CURATORIAL ASSISTANT / EDITORIAL MANAGER, MOMA PS1, MICHAEL HAMMOND, LABEL MANAGER, NEW AMSTERDAM RECORDS AND DANIEL WOHL, COMPOSER.

MOMA PS1 SUNDAY SESSIONS IS ORGANIZED BY JENNY SCHLENZKA, ASSOCIATE CURATOR WITH MIKE SKINNER, PRODUCER, ALEX SLOANE, CURATORIAL ASSISTANT AND ROSEY SELIG-ADDISS, ASSOCIATE PRODUCER.

SOUND / SOURCE IS PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH L3M