Activating the Medium XI: The Instrument

Over three nights in February, 23five Incorporated presents the annual Activating the Medium festival, now in its eleventh season. The focus for the 2008 showcase of international sound art and experimental musicians is the instrument, in particular the parallel strategies that these artists employ in using conventional musical instruments alongside refined conceptual agendas and technological applications.

The Eleventh Annual Activating The Medium Festival:

First Chapter
Recombinant Media Labs
San Francisco
Performing Artists:
Zbigniew Karkowski and Ulrich Krieger
Tim Catlin (Australia)
Jason Kahn (Switzerland)
Francisco Meirino (France)

Second Chapter
Recombinant Media Labs
San Francisco, February 23
Performing Artists:
Phill Niblock and Thomas Ankersmit (New York and Berlin)

The first night features a rare presentation of ZBIGNIEW KARKOWSKI's orchestral scores, performed with a brass ensemble that includes Ulrich Krieger, Suzanne Thorpe, and Andy Strain. The American born Swiss artist JASON KAHN draws upon the internal architecture of the drum to construct a minimalist aesthetic of resonance, feedback, and the psychological implications of these sounds. Australia's TIM CATLIN centers his work around drone-based, immersive works primarily shaped by intense investigations upon acoustic and electric guitars. FRANCISCO MEIRINO, also from Switzerland, picks up the humble harmonica for his dynamic interplay between the programmed and the accidental.

The second night is a free lecture at the San Francisco Art Institute by legendary minimalist composer PHILL NIBLOCK.

And the final night enjoys two performances from PHILL NIBLOCK collaborating with THOMAS ANKERSMIT, presenting long-form works for saxophone, electronics, and projected image.

Part 1: Saturday, February 2, 2008
ZBIGNIEW KARKOWSKI (Japan)
JASON KAHN (Switzerland)
TIM CATLIN (Australia)
FRANCISCO MEIRINO (Switzerland)
Recombinant Labs Compound, San Francisco
8PM
$15 : advance reservations recommended

Part 2: Friday, February 22, 2008
a lecture by PHILL NIBLOCK
San Francisco Art Institute Lecture Hall
800 Chestnut Street, San Francisco
Free to public

Part 3: Saturday, February 23, 2008
PHILL NIBLOCK (New York) + THOMAS ANKERSMIT (Netherlands)
Recombinant Labs Compound, San Francisco
Two sessions: 7PM and 10PM
$15 : advance reservations recommended

Directions to The Compound
1: Take the US-101 Freeway South to CESAR CHAVEZ EAST Turnoff
2: Go down CESAR CHAVEZ heading East to THIRD STREET
3: Turn RIGHT at THIRD STREET heading SOUTH for two miles
4: Notice that street names go in alphabetical order
5: Turn LEFT on THOMAS heading EAST 8 Blocks to DEAD END
6: Turn RIGHT onto GRIFFITH Dirt Road
7: Proceed thru open gate Stop for gate person.
8: Turn Left at VAN DYKE and park your car.
9: Go into warehouse courtyard to far right red door.


About 23five Incorporated...

23five Incorporated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and increased awareness of sound works in the public arena, and to the support and education of artists working with and discussing the medium of sound. 23five was founded in 1993, and secured federal 501(c)(3) status in 1995.

We define sound works as: artistic endeavors that are primarily concerned with the use of sound, but fall outside of what is normally considered "music." This includes but is not limited to: recordings, radio transmissions, performances, installations, sound sculpture, site specific public art, and new media arts.

We aim to achieve these goals by: publishing and documenting the production of sound works by established artists and facilitating the production of works by emerging artists in this medium; becoming a development site for educational projects for artists, schools, community and cultural centers, alternative art spaces, museums, galleries, radio broadcasters, other media organizations, and any others interested in learning about the nature and history of sound art; serving as a think-tank, resource center and sound archive to promote an atmosphere where theoretical discourse may flourish; and providing the public with the opportunity to experience and review sound works and essays produced by artists and theorists. In seeking to meet our goal of collecting and distributing information and sound, 23five Incorporated continues to research and build international resources and contacts for public access through this website.