Interludes

VIEWPOINTS – Uniquely fascinating sonic/visual experiences at The Shed: The exquisitely intimate KAGAMI and the grandiose SONIC SPHERE

• By drediman
• June 26, 2023
• No Comments

Currently at The Shed, you’ll find a pair of uniquely fascinating sonic/visual installations that had my head buzzing. Together, these boundary-pushing experiences showcase the The Shed’s programming at its best, stretching the definition of mediums we thought we knew in the most interesting ways. Here are my thoughts, as always.

KAGAMI
Through July 2

The more intimate and arguably more affecting of the two offerings is Kagami (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED), which has been created by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto (a co-founder of Yellow Magic Orchestra, as well as the composer of such Oscar-winning films as The Last Emperor and The Revenant) in careful collaboration with art/technology collective Tin Drum. Presented in conjunction with the Manchester International Festival, the work uses “mixed” reality presentation – audiences wear lightweight, optically transparent devices – to virtually recreate a Sakamoto piano recital, which features ten original compositions (including pieces like “Energy Flow” and “Merry Christmas Mr. Laurence”, alongside less familiar works). Thankfully, as directed by Todd Eckert, the subtly dynamic hourlong experience at the Griffin Theater invites visitors to be as interactive as they’re comfortable being (audience members have the option to remain seated or explore the concert in 360 degrees). It’s this kind of thoughtfulness that allows the project’s delicate ghostliness and underlying somberness to exquisitely register.

SONIC SPHERE
Through July 30

Then on the other end of the spectrum at the epically-scaled McCourt is the equally imposing installation Sonic Sphere (RECOMMENDED). Created by Ed Cooke, Merijn Royaards, and Nicholas Christie, the structure is essentially a giant spherical concert hall suspended in midair. Measuring 65 feet in diameter, the audiences are invited to enter the massive architectural wonder to experience music in a way they’ve probably never experienced before. Upon entering the womb-like inner sanctum of the grandiose structure, visitors are asked to make themselves comfortable as they prepare themselves to become one with the music. Indeed, the cradle-like environment synchronizes 100+ speakers with carefully calibrated lighting design to induce a sort of out of body experience in which music becomes all. I made two trips to Sonic Sphere – the first was to take in The xx’s sublime self-titled debut album; the second was to immerse my self in seminal composer Steve Reich’s shimmering Music for 18 Musicians. I came away from the communal, multi-sensory experiences both cleansed and more keenly aware of the sonic/visual relationships at work in the world around us.