Sub Rosa, ISBN 978-9609368704, English, book + CD, 48 pages, 2012, Belgium

“Sirens” was an audiovisual performance by Thanasis Kaproulias (Novi_sad) and Ryoichi Kurokawa that took place at different festivals around the world. This book is due legacy to its effective and distinctive nature. Its name is particularly symbolic in expressing the relationship between Kaproulias’ sounds and Kurokawa’s videos. The vocal power of sirens to freeze seems to be perfectly embodied in Kurokawa’s collection of ghostly video pictures that are included in the book, conceptually separated by time codes. These videos, endowed with a high level of precision in both rhythm and design, are able to affect the viewer’s perception in both firm and gentle ways, and are coupled specifically with the scientifically articulated sounds of Kaproulias. Following his own recognised artistic practice he uses tracks from five renowned experimental musicians (Richard Chartier, CM von Hausswolff, Jacob Kirkegaard, Helge Sten, Rebecca Foon) processing them through the technique of “applying data” obtained from recording natural sound phenomena (like, for example, earthquakes, Titan’s atmosphere, or the vibration of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges), all of which took place at the same time important economic crises unfolded. The results are perfectly described by Lucas Bambozzi in his introduction as “expanded cinematic experiences” and more then synaesthetic, they can be considered as destabilising, both perceptually and methodologically. As Bambozzi again notes, the ‘locus’ and the syntax of this work remain unknown.

 

Novi_sad + Ryoichi Kurokawa – Sirens