ColdVoice Installation & Performance

OVERVIEW

WHAT WE BRING

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

INTER-STATE (OUTSIDE OF VICTORIA) & INTERNATIONAL TOURING

FREIGHT OF INSTALLATION

FREEZER RENTAL

LOCAL TOURING (VICTORIA & INTERSTATE BY ROAD)

OVERVIEW

ColdVoice:

This novel musical interface is a never-before seen device that deteriorates as it is played. The player manipulates field recordings from glaciers by touching ice and experiencing the sensation of cold through their skin. This instrument utilises the unique ‘depth of touch’ sensing developed by Playable Streets and implemented in installations such as The Plants (Art Centre, Melbourne, The Esplanade, Singapore). Participants can explore the sonic space of glaciers while experiencing the at once solid and fragile nature of ice.

THE INSTALLATION:

Enter a room of musical instruments that have never been played before, and will soon disappear. Led by Playable Streets creative facilitators participants will explore these novel musical interfaces and compose their own unique soundscapes. Immersed in the sonic world of glaciers we invite you to play, collaborate and explore before these instruments melt away. The ColdVoice installation consists of 6 instruments, each instrument is stand-alone, running on batteries. This is a facilitated installation ie. 2 Playable Streets facilitators engage with the public, collaborate and encourage interaction.

THE TEAM:

Two performer/ producers travel with the work. We facilitate interaction, install/ deinstall, technical support and can run workshops (these are optional see separate workshop page). 2 additional team members will join as part of the musical performances.

THE ColdVoice INSTRUMENTS:

The installation consists of 6 ColdVoice Instruments (each instruments consists of 6 ice blocks). They run on battery power and last up to 4 days without recharge (batteries can be recharged over-night). The base of these instruments are 600 x 600 mm and they weigh approx 10kg.

THE SETUP:

ColdVoice can be set up in a variety of configurations and spaces indoor and outdoor. The minimum space requirement is approx 10 x 10 Metres. Each instrument requires approx 2 Metres space around it. A day of pre production off site is required. Freezers need to be set up on site (backstage area) 3 days before the first installation. It takes approx 3 hours to install the work after arriving on site. It takes approx 2 hours to deinstall the work (not including live musician equipment, PA etc).

THE ICE:

The Ice takes approx 3 days to freeze, we bring our own freezers and freeze the ice on site before the season starts. We travel with 3 freezers with a footprint of approx 600 x 600

WORKSHOPS (Optional):

ColdVoice workshops (currently in development) can be delivered in addition to the installation and performance. For more information on workshops go to The Plants Pop-Up Workshops page (coming soon)

Maximum 4 workshops per day
Workshops run approx 50 mins
Maximum 20 participants per workshop

THE PERFORMANCE (OPTIONAL EXTRA):

We work with local musicians to develop a 20 minute musical piece that weaves traditional musical instruments with these new ice/ electronic instruments. Performances end with an invitation to the audience and people passing by to join and play the ColdVoice instruments for the finale (and to keep playing and exploring after the piece)

THE COMPOSITION:

Award winning composer and sound designer Cayn Borthwick presents: Glacier Swells - a composition for ColdVoice accompanied by a range of instruments from synthesizer to contemporary ensembles. This 30 min immersive 8 speaker surround piece has been inspired by the Alaskan glaciers where Cayn collected field recordings for the Cold Voice instrument.

THE MUSICIANS:

We can work with local instrumentalists to create a unique interactive performance event suited to your venue or festival audience. This would involve an initial consultation with Playable Streets composer and at least one rehearsal before the performance date. In Melbourne we have worked with percussionists Zela Papageorgiou & Hamish Upton, Harpist Genevieve Fry and Trumpet player/ electronic music artist Reuben Lewis.