An experimental program of interconnected performances exploring linguistic re-coding, tricks of the mouth, verbalism, chatter, translation, transposition, impersonation, and noise. Drawing from Liquid Architecture’s ongoing investigations into the dynamics of ventriloquism, polyphony and other multiplicities of sound and listening, Tricks of the Mouth will feature multiple artists' works materialising in a fluid and collaborative setting over a two-hour program, staged nightly throughout the festival. No two nights will be the same.
Yogyakarta-based speculative coder, designer, and horror-aficionado Natasha Tontey will present a set of SHIFT-JIS—an early-internet Japanese graphic variant on ASCII and the prototype of emoji—images as scores for improvisation, while legendary Japanese musician Phew, whose warped vocal exclamations over pulsating electronics have been described as ‘Yoko Ono meets Suicide’, will perform for the first time in Australia. Chinese Singaporean artist Zou Zhao will playfully dismantle proceedings through discursive intervention, while Sage Pbbbt will explore the overtones produced as air travels from her lungs, past her vocal folds, and out of her lips into the room. Sydney sound artist Alexandra Spence, recently returned from residency in Hong Kong, will present a new text-sound meditation on her experiences navigating the city through listening.
Nightly Line-up (subject to change)
Wed: Phew, Natasha Tontey, Zou Zhao, Sage Pbbbt
Thu: Phew, Natasha Tontey, Zou Zhao, Sage Pbbbt
Fri: Natasha Tontey, Zou Zhao, Sage Pbbbt, Alexandra Spence
Sat: Natasha Tontey, Zou Zhao, Sage Pbbbt, Alexandra Spence
Find out more about the work and explore the full Liveworks Festival program online at www.performancespace.com.au