Programme_Martin Parker | Chiaroscuro Pentimenti

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Chiaroscuro Pentimenti began in 2005 as a collaboration between poet Jennifer Williams, composer Martin Parker and artist Anna Chapman. They were interested in exploring creative ways to map the visual qualities of Chiaroscuro and Pentimenti across poetry and sound.  Chiaroscuro [literally light-dark] is a technique of synthesising form through casting shadow, while pentimenti [pl. of repentance] are the traces of earlier decisions or outlines, revealed as layers of paint become translucent over time. They took these ideas as departure points for a series of works culminating in two 20-minute tracks (released on cd with an accompanying visual publication in Spring 2009).  

The first piece, Chiaroscuro, is synthesised entirely from recordings of Williams reading her poem; beams of sound reflect off the spoken words creating a sonic ‘chiaroscuro’. The accompanying Pentimenti was developed by processing the sound of the sound being processed until its original marks had almost completely been 'noised-out'.  The 4-minute piece on this CD was developed after the two original tracks were finished and combines each of their processing techniques.  All sounds are generated from Williams' voice but the sounds contain the histories of their creation.  What we might be hearing are multiple time zones overlain simultaneously.

A composer, sound designer and improviser with laptop, Martin’s work focuses on encounters between computers, people and places. Based in Edinburgh, he has performed and collaborated internationally with theatre companies, symphony orchestras, visual artists and ensembles; recent projects include 'Filament', an interactive sound installation commissioned by the ISCM in the Tyrol and 'Grab', a new piece for computer and instruments written for Joby Burgess’ New Noise Ensemble. Forthcoming in 2009 is ‘Songs for an Airless Room’, an interactive sound theatre piece featuring vocalist Phil Minton and touring in cinemas in Autumn 2009. He is Artistic Director of Edinburgh’s Dialogues Festival and one third of improvisation ensemble lapslap. 
 
www.tinpark.com