Justin Bennett and HC Gilje, Mikro. Photo by Michael Miller
Justin Bennett and HC Gilje, Mikro. Photo by Michael Miller
Mikro is a series of improvised collaborative performances between HC Gilje (video) and Justin Bennett (sound) that draws its raw material from the immediate surroundings. On the last day of the Dark Ecology Journey, Bennett and Gilje performed the latest version of
Mikro using material gathered over the course of the Journey.
Gilje used a microscope to examine and capture textures of the various found materials, which were added to a continuously changing video loop: new images constantly replaced old ones. Organic, mineral, synthetic, processed: dead and live materials came together in a flicker bonanza.
The modus operandi for the sound was inspired by and similar to Gijle’s video processing techniques. Sounds were created by manipulating found materials – metal, paper, plant material, stones, and other objects – to reveal their textures and resonances. Very quiet sounds were amplified using different kinds of microphones: miniature mics, contact mics, ultrasonic detectors, etc. The sounds were hen processed digitally. Small memory buffers were filled with audio data, which was then ‘read’ in different ways: granulation, brassage, delays, rhythmical ‘step sequencers’ and convolution. Different buffers sent audio to each other so that feedback loops occurred within the software as well as through the loudspeakers and microphones.
Commissioned by Sonic Acts and Hilde Methi for Dark Ecology.
HC Gilje (NO) works with real-time environments, installations, live performance, set design and experimental video. Gilje’s main interest lies within the perspectives on how different media resonate within a space, both physically and mentally. Gilje has presented his work via different channels throughout the world: in concert venues, theatres and cinemas, galleries, festivals, outdoors and through several international DVD releases.
www.hcgilje.com
Justin Bennett (UK/NL) works with sound and visual media. His work painstakingly examines the sounds of our everyday urban environments in the minutest detail.
www.justinbennett.nl
Premiere
Dark Ecology Journey
12 June 2016
Sydvaranger Industriområde, Kirkenes, NO
www.darkecology.net