SHOW/PLAY! AT YLEM FORUM at RX GALLERY and 21 GRAND

Image from one of Loren Mean's films

SHOW/PLAY! AT YLEM FORUM AT RX GALLERY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Bay Area filmmaker/musician/writer Loren Means hosts a multimedia event exploring the relationship of image and sound, and the difference in effect between producing work in the studio and producing it live, in real time, interacting with an audience. Nine visual/sound artists will participate in the event in fluid combinations, including two working sound/visual performing groups.

Live Feed is a visuals and sound ensemble comprising LX Rudis on a modified DJ rig and analog synthesis, Chris Fleeger on computer sound synthesis and modification, and Scott Davey on computer-generated / modified light projections. Live Feed has performed at the Luggage Store, done several shows at San Francisco State University, and has accompanied a performance by Winston Tong. Live Feed specializes in the use of "alternative controllers" for audio, such as light and proximity sensors, and Fleeger's use of Max-based touchscreen control.  And, unless specifically discouraged, Rudis can sometimes be found on Theremin.  Audio is used to control aspects of the visual projections at times, and Fleeger is oft detected modifying a direct audio link from Rudis. The group practices a semi-structured form of free improvisation, often organized around a roughly timed "arc" in analog, such as that of the typical television "broadcast day", or the life of an individual.  The group emphasis is on interrelation and interaction to create unified and evocative shifting fields of sound and light.  Laughter is not discouraged.

Rachael Abernathy is a filmmaker and sound artist who sews directly on Super-8 film, and scratches on a 45-rpm phonograph record in live performance. As Rachael puts it, “I would not consider my pieces to be performance art, but rather a sharing experience of film.  I incorporate live sound into my work so that every screening will be exciting and new.  This is my own small way of fighting against the commoditization of art.  Everyone should have the freedom to make art, share art, and experience art.”

Rachel Manera is a filmmaker, sound artist, and performance artist. In addition to showing her films with live sound at Artists Television Access and RX Gallery, she recently served as mistress of ceremonies at the Cabaret Voltaire presentation at the San Francisco Art Institute, and was commissioned by the Exploratorium to create a film for the Trip Down Market Street 1905/2005 celebration.

Rachel also creates visuals for the group Reagan’s Memory, which is described by its members as “Improvisational art-damaged sound/visual diarrhea with film projections by Rachel Manera and narration by Ronald Reagan. The group consists of Anthony Desimone, drums; Ian Enggasser, guitar; and Douglas Katelus, Rhodes keyboards. Ian and Douglas are also filmmakers. Ian, who also calls himself Ian Phillips, describes himself as an “improvisational/psychedelic/hardcore/noise/jazz guitar player/composer. His films tend to revel in the beautiful absurd.” Douglas is a San Francisco based filmmaker and musician. He has produced several Documentary and experimental shorts that have screened throughout the U.S.A. Aside from making movies, Douglas also co-curates an experimental film show titled "Pathological Rhetoric" that regularly showcases local and worldwide filmmakers. As he puts it, "My films are an indirect reflection...a sudden and uncontrolled out-lash. I do not choose the images taken, but rather allow the camera to make its own decisions."

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 Loren Means founded the f8 Filmaker’s Co-operative in the Sixties, and won a prize at the Saginaw 8mm Film Festival in 1968. He has shown his films at the Exploratorium, Artists’ Television Access, and RX Gallery. Loren paints on 8mm film, whose small size necessitates that the resulting imagery is self-organized, generative. When projected on a large screen, the imagery goes from microcosmic to macrocosmic. The images are then digitized, and the computer comes into play as a real-time performance instrument. Loren’s sound tracks are drawn from music played in improvising groups with Henry Kaiser and Ron Heglin in the Seventies, appearing at the Keystone Korner and Kaiser Auditorium. In addition to showing his films, Loren will be playing electronic trombone, flute, and vocalizing with Reagan’s Memory.

RX Gallery is located at 132 Eddy Street in San Francisco. The doors open at 7:30, and the show will start at 8:00 pm. A donation is requested at the door. A wine bar is available, and minors are not admitted.@ylem.org - 415-445-0196


SHOW/PLAY! AT 21 GRAND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Bay Area filmmaker/musician/writer Loren Means hosts a multimedia event exploring the relationship of image and sound, and the difference in effect between producing work in the studio and producing it live, in real time, interacting with an audience. Seven visual/sound artists will participate in the event in fluid combinations, including a special appearance by an out-of-town luminary, Seattle’s Eric Ostrowski. Eric, whose most recent San Francisco appearance was a show of his films and music at Artists’ Television Access, paints on 16mm film and also applies paint to the sound-track band, so that the visuals and sound are created in the same gesture. Eric also improvises on the violin, and plans to play duets with Loren during the performance. As Eric puts it, “I am a freely-improvising musician and direct filmmaker. I strive for maximum audio and visual impact in my films.  The images are as bright as possible, and the sound is to be experienced at a high volume.  This is intended to envelop the audience in the world of the film. Sound and picture have equal importance in my work.  I use direct optical sound because it comes from the same 'sound world' as the direct visual animation. My primary musical performance mode these days is violin free-improvisation.  I like to explore the possibilities of overtones from the instrument as well as movement through space.  I have played with Michael Griffen as the duo of Noggin since 1993.”

Rachael Abernathy and Rachel Manera will also be at the 21 Grand show

21 Grand is located at 416 25th St. (at Broadway), Oakland, CA 94612. The show starts at 8:00. (510) 444-7263
Suggested donation sliding scale $6-10

Records of Previous Forums:

AUGUST 2005: Art, Activism and Technology
JULY 2005: Patterns in Nature
MAY 2005: ARCHIMEDIA from Australia
MARCH 2005: Art Enlivening Biology
JANUARY 2005
NOVEMBER 2004: LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!