A new hybrid work where technology and the human body collide to create a rich aural-visual experience through an amazing bespoke instrument made from a matrix of electrically conductive tape, Chamber Made presents SYSTEM_ERROR at Arts House – North Melbourne Town Hall from 7 – 11 July 2021.
Chamber Made Artistic Director and performance-maker Tamara Saulwick comes together with contemporary dance-maker, composer and instrument designer Alisdair Macindoe to create and perform in the premiere of SYSTEM_ERROR. They are joined by data visualisation artist Melanie Huang, director Lucy Guerin and writer Emilie Collyer.
Centred around a custom-made technical system designed by Macindoe, SYSTEM_ERROR features hundreds of metres of electrically conductive tape across the performance floor that functions as a live mixing circuit.
The performers act as conductors through the touch of their fingers, hands and feet to trigger a soundscape as well as data visuals on a large projection screen.
“Since a young age, I have always enjoyed creating new systems for communication and expression by deconstructing musical instruments and electronic devices,” says Macindoe. “The sound design for this project is a continuation of that compulsion.”
SYSTEM_ERROR contemplates the frailties and imperfections of humanity and interrogates the increasingly dependent and integrated relationship between people and technology.
Saulwick highlights that SYSTEM_ERROR is about the relationship between bodies and technology, “In the work, we are exploring a fascination with the inherent failings in all systems, whether they be biological or technological.”
Chamber Made is led by Artistic Director Tamara Saulwick who has a career spanning more than 20 years and deep knowledge of cross-artform collaborative practice and creating sound-based works.
Alisdair Macindoe has worked across the contemporary dance scene as a critically-acclaimed performer, composer and sound designer. He has received multiple awards, including five Greenroom awards, a Helpmann and a New York Bessie.
Arts House Artistic Director, Emily Sexton, says that SYSTEM_ERROR is a fantastic fusion of art forms. “For many years, Chamber Made has nurtured this very exciting pairing that builds on their extraordinary knowledge and practice.”
“This beautiful tactile instrument seems like it has trapped two people inside a computer network as they contemplate memory, connection, relationships and mortality,” said Sexton.
Co-creator and performers: Tamara Saulwick, Alisdair Macindoe | Director: Lucy Guerin | Data visualisation artist: Melanie Huang | Contributing writer and text consultant: Emilie Collyer | Lighting designer: Amelia Lever-Davidson | Audio engineer: Nick Roux
SYSTEM_ERROR
Arts House – North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Season: 7 – 11 July 2021
Bookings: www.artshouse.com.au
For more information, visit: www.chambermade.org for details.
Image: Alisdair Macindoe and Tamara Saulwick feature in SYSTEM_ERROR – photo by Pier Carthew