Installations in 2017

Drawing upon histories of peace movements in East Germany, the work takes the form of a performative installation housed within a former Lutheran Church, now The Luella Massey Studio Theatre. It draws out questions of resistance and emancipatory practices, staging a set of materials, recordings and documents that act as a greater scenography of the hidden and the dispossessed. In particular, the work considers how “the underground” performs to nurture the formation of a parallel polis, one that enacts an overall art of survival. From such actions, particular discourses and cultural productions are generated, from illegal publishing to a lyrical poetics of secret messages. In the case of East Germany, peace workshops and environmental protests found support through a network of socially engaged churches, which acted to camouflage dissident work. What might such histories and productions suggest in terms of contemporary crises and the desires for a new social body? How might the art of survival provide a guide for an aesthetics aimed at redistributing the sensible?

Transmissions is a multi-point sound art installation that uses a collection of touch-sensitive antennae to trigger abstract sounds and tones, creating a unique sound environment for audience participants to explore.

Bread and Circuses by nichola feldman-kiss responds in real time to the geo-locative telling of world media narrative. The immersive audio installation remixes live RSS headlines delivered by synthesized orators.The artwork blends first person witnessing and global statistical accounts with regional, official and corporate media reportage.

https://naisa.ca/festivals/sound-bash/

Back by popular demand, the NAISA Sound Bash returns but in a new location. On March 12, 2001, New Adventures in Sound Art became a not-for-profit organization, expanding its programming that year and committing to providing year-round sound art programming for all ages.

"Since its inception in March 2001, New Adventures in Sound Art (NAISA) has provided a home for the sonic imagination, a place where anyone can explore art through sound. As NAISA turns 16, we encourage you to join in the celebration as you discover the potential for music in everyday sounds. There is a musician and sound artist within us all. Let the NAISA Sound Bash open that creative door.” - Darren Copeland, NAISA Artistic Director

From March 11 to April 23, NAISA’s exhibition space will be filled with a new selection of everyday objects especially selected for the interesting sounds they make when struck or played, offering you a chance to play with sound and manipulate it live. Open Saturday and Sundays March 11 - April 30, 11am - 4pm or by appointment with added times during the March Break Fun Fair. Special thanks to local artist Christine Charette for her visual/sound design.

Almost 10 years ago, NAISA’s Artistic Director launched a new way of moving sound around a space using a sensor that you wear on your hand. For the month of May, there will be a multi-channel system set up for you to try out for yourself! Suitable for all ages.

Also, when you enter the space you will hear a spring soundscape from Warbler's Roost, which was recorded over a 24 hour period and in this installation is condensed into a 38 minute multi-channel soundscape piece. Warbler's Roost is a rural property 22 KM west of South River.

Complex Interactions is an exhibit that features interactive installations that use movement by participants to create a complex series of responses. David Rokeby's Very Nervous System is an internationally regarded interactive artwork that creates a complex and resonant relationship between the movement of the participant and the sounds generated by the computer, while St. Pierre-Gauthier's P(n,r) = n!/(n-r)! provides a portable station for participants to remix their sound art improvisations into new compositions.

Turbulent Forms and Nova are two exhibitions of new work by artist and composer Dan Tapper, exploring the universe through chaos and cosmology. The works exhibited are inspired and derived from physical data gathered by space organizations and physicists as well as using thought experiments, illustrative techniques and imagination to create parallels and appreciation of complex, abstract and theorized concepts. Turbulent Forms is funded by Arts Council England and the British Council.

This exhibition of work by graffiti, hip hop and multi-media artist James Kirkpatrick from London, Ontario features his interactive sound sculptures. Mila Petkovic in Metro wrote “Kirkpatrick’s bright and highly detailed work takes its inspiration from science fiction, cartoons and the secret worlds of video games.” Kirkpatrick's sound sculptures are created by circuit-bending, or re-purposing, consumer electronics toys as well as by transforming their visual appearance with his playful and colourful style. These sculptures invite group play and collaboration to create beats, melodies and scratchy textures out of discarded electronic toys.

Featured in the show are his Brain sound sculptures, a piece called “None Hop Blue”, a new variation on his sound towers and a collection of circuit bent electronics to jam with as well. Also, don't miss opening night artist talk and demonstration by James Kirkpatrick on September 22 as well as his September 23 circuit-bending and vocals hip hop performance under the moniker Thesis Sahib.