“A Large Gap at the Level of My Head” – composing an auditory event with ‘specifics’
by o.blaat (Keiko Uenishi), 2009

“In contrast to the sound event existing in reality, the auditory event takes place only in the “imagination” of the listener, and it cannot be “proven” by applying measurement techniques. It is rather perceived or felt, either consciously or unconsciously.” – Philip Mackensen, ‘Auditive Localization’ (2004)

“A Large Gap at the Level of My Head” is an experiment to compose with series of specific cues to attendants. The original sound event won’t yield, nor aim at a single common experience, but rather impose an unique auditory event to each listener. The piece is also a study of listening. It is not about the source of the sound, but about phenomena of perceived. It is one of my continuous attempts to experiment on the aural space from another angle (in comparison with my feedback performance work “Car décalé (légèrement)” in which I was using the physical external structure to create ‘sound event.’)

“A Large Gap at the Level of My Head” can be presented with any number of speakers of any sorts. At Roulette/Mixology Festival, it will be presented with a multi-channel speaker system with multiple screens

o.blaat (Keiko Uenishi)

Based in Brooklyn, New York, sound artivist, social composer, and a core member of SHARE (http://share.dj), o.blaat (Keiko Uenishi) is known for her works formed through experiments in restructuring and analyzing one’s relationship with sounds in sociological, cultural, and/or psychological environments.

Her installations include: “Aboard: Fillip2” for “six sites for sound” exhibitions in London, UK (2005), “J’ai un secret merveilleux: Midas” for City Sonic Festival 2006, Mons, Belgium. To explore in the field of aural perceptions, o.blaat created “Car décalé (légèrement)”, a series of feedback performance work.

Uenishi also has an on-going open project “Broadway Dreams” (collaborative ‘blink media documentation’ on local businesses and sidewalks, utilizing web 2.0), featured in Conflux Festival 2008, NYC, and a participatory composition “Border Game” for Fronte[i]ras2 festival at a border of Spain and Portugal in autumn 2010.

o.blaat performed and/or presented works in various locations worldwide including: Whitney Museum of Art, NYC; P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Museum, DIA:Beacon, Cornell University, NY; Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, PA; MIT, Boston, MA; MUTEK festival, Montreal, Canada; ClubTransmediale, Berlin, Germany; Ultrahang festival, Budapest, Hungary; Netmage festival and Interferenze Festival in Italy; City Sonic festival in Belgium; Medien Kultur Haus in Wels, Vienna Konzerthaus and Alte-Schmiede in Vienna, Austria; Skolska28 Gallery, Institut Intermedii, and National Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic; ICA London, Tate Britain and Fortescue Avenue Gallery in UK.

o.blaat has collaborated with numerous artists including: Toshio Kajiwara, Ikue Mori, Kaffe Matthews, Marina Rosenfeld, Miguel Frasconi, Ricardo Arias, Klaus Filip, Noid, Takehisa Kosugi, Steinbrüchel, DJ Olive, Eyvind Kang, Sachiko M, Tetsuji Akiyama, Aki Onda, Adriana Sã, John Klima, Anthony Coleman, 242.pilots, Nobukazu Takemura, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, among others.

http://obla.at
http://myspace.com/oblaat