YLEM Forum: Show/Play! visuals & live sound

Wed, Nov 9
7:30pm-10:30pm
$4-10 Sliding Scale

Bay Area filmmaker/musician/writer Loren Means hosts a multimedia
event exploring the relationship of image and sound, and the
difference in effect between producing work in the studio and
producing it live, in real time, interacting with an audience. Nine
visual/sound artists will participate in the event in fluid
combinations, including two working sound/visual performing groups.

Live Feed is a visuals and sound ensemble comprising LX Rudis on a
modified DJ rig and analog synthesis, Chris Fleeger on computer sound
synthesis and modification, and Scott Davey on computer-generated /
modified light projections. Live Feed has performed at the Luggage
Store, done several shows at San Francisco State University, and has
accompanied a performance by Winston Tong. Live Feed specializes in
the use of "alternative controllers" for audio, such as light and
proximity sensors, and Fleeger's use of Max-based touchscreen
control. And, unless specifically discouraged, Rudis can sometimes
be found on Theremin. Audio is used to control aspects of the visual
projections at times, and Fleeger is oft detected modifying a direct
audio link from Rudis. The group practices a semi-structured form of
free improvisation, often organized around a roughly timed "arc" in
analog, such as that of the typical television "broadcast day", or
the life of an individual. The group emphasis is on interrelation
and interaction to create unified and evocative shifting fields of
sound and light. Laughter is not discouraged.

Rachael Abernathy is a filmmaker and sound artist who sews directly
on Super-8 film, and scratches on a 45-rpm phonograph record in live
performance. As Rachael puts it, "I would not consider my pieces to
be performance art, but rather a sharing experience of film. I
incorporate live sound into my work so that every screening will be
exciting and new. This is my own small way of fighting against the
commoditization of art. Everyone should have the freedom to make
art, share art, and experience art."

Rachel Manera is a filmmaker, sound artist, and performance artist.
In addition to showing her films with live sound at Artists
Television Access and RX Gallery, she recently served as mistress of
ceremonies at the Cabaret Voltaire presentation at the San Francisco
Art Institute, and was commissioned by the Exploratorium to create a
film for the Trip Down Market Street 1905/2005 celebration.

Rachel also creates visuals for the group Reagan's Memory, which is
described by its members as "Improvisational art-damaged sound/visual
diarrhea with film projections by Rachel Manera and narration by
Ronald Reagan. The group consists of Anthony Desimone, drums; Ian
Enggasser, guitar; and Douglas Katelus, Rhodes keyboards. Ian and
Douglas are also filmmakers. Ian, who also calls himself Ian
Phillips, describes himself as an "improvisational/psychedelic/
hardcore/noise/jazz guitar player/composer. His films tend to revel
in the beautiful absurd." Douglas is a San Francisco based filmmaker
and musician. He has produced several Documentary and experimental
shorts that have screened throughout the U.S.A. Aside from making
movies, Douglas also co-curates an experimental film show titled
"Pathological Rhetoric" that regularly showcases local and worldwide
filmmakers. As he puts it, "My films are an indirect reflection...a
sudden and uncontrolled out-lash. I do not choose the images taken,
but rather allow the camera to make its own decisions."

Loren Means founded the f8 Filmaker's Co-operative in the Sixties,
and won a prize at the Saginaw 8mm Film Festival in 1968. He has
shown his films at the Exploratorium, Artists' Television Access, and
RX Gallery. Loren paints on 8mm film, whose small size necessitates
that the resulting imagery is self-organized, generative. When
projected on a large screen, the imagery goes from microcosmic to
macrocosmic. The images are then digitized, and the computer comes
into play as a real-time performance instrument. Loren's sound tracks
are drawn from music played in improvising groups with Henry Kaiser
and Ron Heglin in the Seventies, appearing at the Keystone Korner and
Kaiser Auditorium. In addition to showing his films, Loren will be
playing electronic trombone, flute, and vocalizing with Reagan's Memory.

Venue:

RX Gallery
132 Eddy Street
San Francisco
415-474-7973
www.rxgallery.com

Two blocks from Powell Street BART Station

Additional Info:

415-665-5454
www.ylem.org