Phil Dadson: Bodytok
4 - 26 September 2008
Starkwhite is pleased to present BODYTOK, a sonicsfromscratch
project by Phil Dadson from4 to 26 September 2008.
Over the past three years, Dadson has been compiling the 'human
instrument archive'. He says: "The first instrument is the human
body and the human instrument is the most unpredictable and unique
of all. From childhood worldwide humans explore the sonic potential
of their bodies, often discovering a unique and/or individual
sound. I had some expectations of this variety, but when I started
asking people to show me their unique sounds, I was astounded by
the invention."
For BODYTOK, Dadson has produced three preliminary videos from
his archive, each one a short compilation of individuals performing
their distinctive sounds. The video-sound clips are presented in a
three screen interactive video installation that allows viewers to
'play' the work. The exhibition at Starkwhite is also a trial run,
enabling the artist and interactivity-collaborator, James Charlton
to test the BODYTOK technology and see how viewers engage with the
interactive component. Dadson hopes to stage a larger version of
BODYTOK at a public art gallery in 2009.
The BodyTok project is supported by Sony NZ, AUT Co-lab &
AUT Art & Design.
Phil Dadson is the founder of the legendary sound-performance
group, From Scratch, known widely for it's rhythmic and distinctive
performances on original instruments. As an artist/solo performer
Dadson is also known for his interdisciplinary practice including
solo performances and exhibitions, building experimental
instruments and sonic objects, video/sound installation,
composition, graphic scores and improvisations on invented
instruments.
Recent exhibition/performance highlights include; VENICE 09
shortlist. SONIC SELF Chelsea art Museum NY, (2008); SUR POLAR,
Buenos Aires (2008) Sanskriti artist residency, India. S3D Invented
Instruments Festival, AK07. EAR to the EARTH, New York, performance
and videos;
(2006) CONCERTINA, a survey of early video and new work, curated
by Leonhard Emmerling, St Paul's St, AUT, (2006) Auckland the
WALTERS PRIZE 2006 (a restaging of POLAR PROJECTS) Auckland Art
Gallery; performances at WHITENOISE / Hong Kong, and LETE bar /
Tokyo, (2005) BREAKING ICE, Adam Gallery, Wellington, TAPPING THE
PULSE, Mediaplex, Wellington (2005); REV @ Small Black Box,
Brisbane (2004); POLAR PROJECTS, shown at the Physics Room,
Christchurch, Bowen Gallery, Wellington, (2005) Dunedin Public Art
Gallery, Starkwhite and Gus Fisher galleries, Auckland (2004);
Echo-Logo, World Wide Video Festival, Amsterdam (2004); N8: Night
Festival of Sound, Hfg/ZKM, Karlsruhe, in collaboration with
Michael Saup and friends (2004); performances in 2003 with Johannes
Bauer (Berlin), Rod Cooper (Melbourne). Stark audio #3 (Auckland);
Solo, Starkwhite, Auckland (2003); Vocal Acrobats, AK03, Auckland
Festival, with Koichi Makigami & Mark van Tongeren (2003); and
Video Actions, Performance Space, Sydney (2003). In 2003 Dadson
travelled to Antarctica under an artists fellowship programme and
in 2001 he received an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate
award.
Located in New Zealand on Auckland's Karangahape Road,
Starkwhite presents a programme of artists' projects, solo shows,
independently curated exhibitions and occasional forays into new
music and other interdisciplinary practices. Starkwhite also
represents artists from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific
rim.
For further information or images please contact the
gallery.
Starkwhite
510 Karangahape Road, Auckland, New Zealand
Tel. 64 9 3070703
Monday to Friday 11.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday: 11.00am to 5.00pm
starkwhite@starkwhite.co.nz
www.starkwhite.co.nz
