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My goal
in this project is to create a performance that investigates
First Nations sovereignty, autonomy and self-government through
the voices of Aboriginal youth in a shared interactive environment.
"Nation" is a further development of "Memory", a digital drum
performance I did at the Western
Front in 1997.
In brief
"Memory" was an investigation into what "traditional" means
in contemporary First Nations culture. The performance featured
a hand drum wired to a sampler via MIDI, which enabled me
to drop various audio samples in to the mix while I sang neo-traditional
songs of my own composition. The primary samples used in this
piece were from audiocassettes of my deceased grandfather
Thomas Pechawis drumming and singing and videotaped interviews
of two elders, Bill Lightbown (Kutenai) and Harriet Nahanee
(Coast Salish) speaking to the issue of "what is traditional".
Other audio sources included samples of Jimi Hendrix, Soundgarden,
The O'Jays and The Fugees.
Technically
"Memory" was fairly simple and worked quite well. "Nation"
will feature a wireless digital drum driving an interactive
performance environment (see technical description). Using
MAX software and I-Cube technology the environment will contain
apparent and discreet interfaces that allow audience members
to affect video switching and lighting during the song sections
of the performance. Lighting changes are made via MIDI operated
lighting console. A MIDI video switcher activated by the drum
and audience feedback will route video signals to individual
video monitors, creating a dense media collage.
Part of
this project will be the development of a "video sampler".
This device will enable me to use video bites musically in
addition to audio samples while drumming and singing.
Format
of the performance
I sit in the center of the performance space with the audience
sitting on the floor around me in concentric circles. Chairs
are set around the perimeter for elders and the infirm. Surrounding
the performance space are sixteen video monitors set in eight
stacks of two and four PA speakers on stands. The performance
begins with a five to ten minute video of edited interviews
with First Nations youth, with the interviewees responding
to a question about sovereignty, autonomy and self-government.
At the end of the first video I drum and sing a neo-traditional
song of my own composition inspired by the question and response.
At the end of the first song another video section plays.
One video and song is played to each direction for a total
of four videos and four songs. Four volunteers from the audience
will be paired with assistants and given Hi8 cameras. These
volunteers will be encouraged to shoot any part of the performance
they wish, with the resulting images being fed back into the
environment. Video source material will be samples from videotaped
interviews with First Nations youth, the four live "audience
cameras" and a "video collage"
Work
at the Lab
During
my residency at Arts Alliance Lab, I investigated the use
of TextOrgan in "Nation". This performance makes extensive
use of MIDI, making it a perfect environment for using the
lab's TextOrgan
dynamic and interactive text performance tool. I intend
to use TextOrgan as an additional media layer for "Nation".
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