Odd Sympathies, a site-specific concert à pied, had its first performance in April 2008. An expectant crowd had gathered on the steps of Cardiff’s, National Museum to enjoy the product of collaboration between innovative artists partnership, Sans façon, and acclaimed composer, John Metcalf. When the Conductor, score in hand, gave his signal that the piece was about to begin a polite hush fell over the group. The conductor led the modest procession away from the steps in silence. And the composition for appreciation that day ….the sounds and sights of Cardiff city.
The multi-disciplinary partnership of artist, Tristan Surtees, architect, Charles Blanc of Sans façon, and composer, Metcalf, took inspiration from 4’33, John Cage’s avant-garde composition. Their intent: to construct a situation wherein the audience is invited to listen to, and reflect on their metropolitan environment. The carefully considered and timed route set out in the score entitled 30’33 (a respectful nod to Cage and also the duration of the work) leads one from the steps of the museum through a number of existing sound environments in a precise combination, defining the proximity, order, repetition and duration of each of the sound moments.
Each performance was profoundly live. Every recital quite unique although strangely similar. The effects of time, and consequent changing uses of the city, serendipitous occurrences, both sonic and visual, become points of contemplation and links between those experiencing the work and the familiar city environment. Audience members became participants in the composition. The walkers’ footfalls created a metronomic rhythm accompanying and becoming part of the city’s sound track. Whilst walking, reflection and contemplation of the city was inevitable.
Over nine days the work was performed 27 times, sometimes to a single person, sometimes to large groups. The outcome for most was the same, wonderment at how something so everyday could become musical, and a newfound pleasure in the rhythm of the city.
Buoyant by the success of Odd Sympathies, Sans façon are keen to create further site-specific sound works, expanding upon their existing body of multi-disciplinary works that explore the sense and themes of place and identity.
For further information and enquiries about this and other works please visit www.sansfacon.co.uk
If you wish to take this sonic walk around Cardiff, you can conduct yourself or others by downloading the score/map.
Odd Sympathies was commissioned by the visual arts organisation, Artes Mundi, to coincide with the international art prize Artes Mundi 3. For more information please visit www.artesmundi.org