Ictus: Telegrams From The Nose

This short performance on the border between musical theatre, video art and installation is the result of a collaboration between the South African artist William Kentridge and the French composer François Sarhan. Russian futurism, poems by Daniil Harms and testimonies from a trial under Stalin blend seamlessly. A collage of newspaper clippings that praise scientific progress forms a projection screen for the video 'Telegrams from the Nose'. In close relation to Kentridge's images, the search was for musical characters that are reminiscent of Russian music from that period in a hectic, rough and alienating way. Memory and allusion are key words here. At the beginning of the performance, the composer performs a pantomime in duo with his own shadow. During the concert, classical guitar and synthesizer play slightly amplified, violin and cello are only amplified and projected through their own bell. An actor responds to this thin and imperfect sound with his voice that is magnified through a megaphone.

PRELATED PROGRAM

With students from the 'Master after Master of Contemporary Music' of the Ghent Conservatory; a training course for specialization in contemporary chamber music, closely supported by the Ictus and Spectra Ensemble.

J. CAGE: 'Three Dances' for two prepared pianos by C. Otte and F. Coomans