Well what a fantastic week! I think I speak for everyone who attended Cultural eXchanges in saying that it was an excellent experience. A big well done to the Faculty of Humanities - and especially the Arts Management staff and students - for all their hard work and effort!
Personally, my highlight of the week is split between the Postgraduate students and the Demon Crew presentations. Both set of students did a superb job of showcasing their work, and the standard was incredible. It made me excited about the next two years I have at De Montfort University.
The Postgraduates taking Creative Writing had the ambition to go far and the quality of the writing to make this possible. Their passion for their work really came across.
The Demon Crew student publication launch was packed and we were treated to cakes, biscuits, sweets and drink. The work ranged from poetry, short stories, scripts, magazines, prints etc. There were quite a few pieces intergrating social technology, keeping writing modern which was very smart. All the students presented their pieces in distinctive ways, either using humour or strange props that reflected their pieces. Overall a brilliant event.
Of course Blake Morrison was great to watch. It's always nice to see an author perform their work. The same could be said for Sean Bonney and Maggie O'Sullivan. I was glad that I went out of my Writing-English comfort zone with the 60x60 concert, experiencing music as well.
On the final note I have to say I am looking forward to Cultural eXchanges 2012 already! If you didn't have the chance this year, make sure you come along next year!
Showing posts with label 60x60. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 60x60. Show all posts
Monday, 7 March 2011
We were warned
Before the 60x60 event began, the audience were told that the music would be dark. The name alone gave it a an eerie feel - Vermilion.
They turned off the lights so we could truly listen to the sixty composed pieces, but I felt that the darkness created a frightening, horror-film-like atmosphere.
The only thing that we could see was a giant clock to let us know that the pieces were exactly sixty seconds each. This left it to our imagination - it was like watching a horror film with our eyes closed.
One piece that really stood out included sounds that reminded me of spiders scuttling across a wooden floor - the tapping sound. I shivered and squirmed throughout the whole sixty seconds of that piece.
Another was like something burning and I found myself trying to imagine what instrument would make that noise.
This event really made me appreciate the effect that music can have on people and how everyday sounds can be manipulated into something scary.
Leonni Secondino
They turned off the lights so we could truly listen to the sixty composed pieces, but I felt that the darkness created a frightening, horror-film-like atmosphere.
The only thing that we could see was a giant clock to let us know that the pieces were exactly sixty seconds each. This left it to our imagination - it was like watching a horror film with our eyes closed.
One piece that really stood out included sounds that reminded me of spiders scuttling across a wooden floor - the tapping sound. I shivered and squirmed throughout the whole sixty seconds of that piece.
Another was like something burning and I found myself trying to imagine what instrument would make that noise.
This event really made me appreciate the effect that music can have on people and how everyday sounds can be manipulated into something scary.
Leonni Secondino
Darker than vermilion?
When I signed myself up to witness the 60x60 concert on the final day of 2011's cultural eXchanges I had already guessed I was letting myself in for something spectacular; the rest of the week had been an absolute eye-opener and I had no doubt in my mind that this concert was going to give me plenty of food for thought too.
The first real indication that this event was already going to be different from what I'd anticipated was the layout of the hall; tiers of seats and hushed whispers, exactly what I’d expected. But I hadn't anticipated the two large speakers and apparent absence of musicians.
The electronic collection, consisting of sixty compositions of sixty seconds each, was performed in complete darkness (which made note-taking very interesting indeed) except for a clock face projected onto the front wall of the room.
The collection itself was very chilling, creating a definite sense of unease and disjointedness - the whole composition gave off a very 'Silent Hill' vibe in my opinion, which created a very extraordinary atmosphere which would be hard to replicate.
The collection we heard was ‘Vermillion’ – although perhaps they should consider renaming to a different, darker shade to fit the tone of the pieces.
For more informationc click HERE.
Samantha Inglis
The first real indication that this event was already going to be different from what I'd anticipated was the layout of the hall; tiers of seats and hushed whispers, exactly what I’d expected. But I hadn't anticipated the two large speakers and apparent absence of musicians.
The electronic collection, consisting of sixty compositions of sixty seconds each, was performed in complete darkness (which made note-taking very interesting indeed) except for a clock face projected onto the front wall of the room.
The collection itself was very chilling, creating a definite sense of unease and disjointedness - the whole composition gave off a very 'Silent Hill' vibe in my opinion, which created a very extraordinary atmosphere which would be hard to replicate.
The collection we heard was ‘Vermillion’ – although perhaps they should consider renaming to a different, darker shade to fit the tone of the pieces.
For more informationc click HERE.
Samantha Inglis
From words to music
The reading and talk from Blake Morrison was delightful. It was a great experience to see such a well-respected author and hear his advice on writing.
He started with a reading from his novel Last Weekend. The humour had the audience laughing along but Blake explained how he also wanted to create a sense of claustrophobia - an almost gothic feel mixed with male rivalry. Mentioning it was set in East Anglia made me feel childishly happy, knowing that's where I come from. A really nice man and an excellent author!
Attending the 60x60 concert this morning with an open mind, I was astounded by the sheer quality of the classical mix with electronic aspects. A lover of classical music, I found the music right up my street. There were aspects of water, voices, bells, etc. that really set the tone of the musical pieces. They all told separate stories in 60 seconds, which is amazing. All you can do is close your eyes and absorb the atmosphere the composers create. It was all very atmospheric, and I especially liked Pellman's piece.
A truly wonderful experience, and I will be definitely checking out some of the composers in the future!
Leonie Sturmam
He started with a reading from his novel Last Weekend. The humour had the audience laughing along but Blake explained how he also wanted to create a sense of claustrophobia - an almost gothic feel mixed with male rivalry. Mentioning it was set in East Anglia made me feel childishly happy, knowing that's where I come from. A really nice man and an excellent author!
Attending the 60x60 concert this morning with an open mind, I was astounded by the sheer quality of the classical mix with electronic aspects. A lover of classical music, I found the music right up my street. There were aspects of water, voices, bells, etc. that really set the tone of the musical pieces. They all told separate stories in 60 seconds, which is amazing. All you can do is close your eyes and absorb the atmosphere the composers create. It was all very atmospheric, and I especially liked Pellman's piece.
A truly wonderful experience, and I will be definitely checking out some of the composers in the future!
Leonie Sturmam
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Day Two - and looking ahead
So, it's finally here, Cultural Exchanges week, Day Two. I'm excited about tomorrow, listening to the Postgraduate Creative Writing students. Cannot wait to see the quality of the work, and just how they perform their work.
At night, the poets Maggie O'Sullivan and Sean Bonney are performing at 6pm. Looking up their live performances on YouTube has given me great insight to their work and level of perfomance skills. Should be very interesting to watch!
Thursday is the Demon Crew, and I'm looking forward to going to see the students showcase their work. It will be great to see what sort of work I will be doing in the next two years whilst at De Montfort. I also know a couple of students in higher years, so can't wait to see them perform!
Again, another night performance with the author Blake Morrison. I was on the train this weekend reading Clockwork Orange when I realised he had written the introduction to the novel! A pleasant surprise, I'm very much looking forward to hearing excerpts from his own novels.
Friday is the 60x60 concert, which is very different from the other events I booked. 60 composers from around the world, each having 60 seconds for their piece with classic works. I'ma sucker for classical music so this should be interesting to see it played in a new, different way.
An exciting week ahead! I hope to see new and familiar faces joining me in these events!
Leonie Sturman
Monday, 28 February 2011
The Week Ahead
With eclectic events to suit all tastes, the week ahead looks to be very exciting. Whether you enjoy art, dance, music, drama, debates or literature, there's somewhere for you to be every day of De Montfort's festival Cultural Exchanges.
Flicking through the festival guide I quickly found I'd booked eleven very different events, beginning with the renowned critic Michael Billington and ending with the intriguing 60x60 concert.
A fantastic week lies in wait and I recommend attendance, especially to events you would never normally find yourself at - I cannot wait for Darragh Morgan's violin concert, yet I'm very much a metal fan!
Enjoy yourselves, gain as many experiences as possible, and maybe I'll see you there.
Terri Baker
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