Anatomy of a jar explores the sound quality of discarded objects, making music with bottles and jars literally rescued from the glass container. These objects refer clearly to a known and familiar world, that through the composition process acquires an abstract and a poetic condition. This piece explores the subtleties of sound, both in the choir and in the objects. These sounds free themselves from their sources, having their own musical value independently of coming from the vocal tradition or the trash can. Anatomy of a jar makes chamber music with objects converting them into refined musical instruments. Objects are now empowered on stage, and their sounds are written in a music score, acquiring thanks to the music notation “eternal life.” The act of re-appropriation is not related to the idea of nostalgia but to resistance and change.
for alto flute and objects as found in the containers (ca 22’) I.Textiles II.Glass III. Plastic IV. Paper V.Metal dedicated to Alu Montorfano
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Anthropology of trash explores the sound quality of discarded objects. This title is inspired by Thing Theory, a branch of modern Anthropology that studies the dynamics between human subjects and inanimate artifacts. Anthropology of trash rescues objects from the trash and makes music with them. Its orchestration replicates the compartments of the recycling containers: textiles, paper, glass, plastic and metal which form the different sections of this work. Each section finds unexpected angles when using these common things, that become refined musical artifacts when played together with the flute. Our simple objects, thanks to the music, are empowered on stage, gaining an abstract and poetic condition. Furthermore, these simple means, which were at death’s door, are granted eternal life by being immortalized in a music score.
Anthropology of trash transforms simple materials into refined sounds. Rescued objects from the trash, which were at death’s door, are granted eternal life by being immortalized in a music score.
In Anthropology of trash, the flute is an extension of the human body, making sounds with the lips, tongue, fingernails and glottis; it also creates subtle modulation of timbre by exploring the vocal tract and the usage of specific phonemes through the body of the flute. The quasi electronics of Anthropology of trash consist of iterated buzzing frequencies, internal turbulences from multiphonic sounds, and a broad range of colored noises, reminiscent of old analog synthesizers but in an “unplugged” way. Minimal amplification emphasizes the subtle sonorities of this piece. It is not only a matter of volume as the music coming from the speakers reinforces the illusion that Anthropology of trash is electronic music.
In Anthropology of trash, the flute is an extension of the human body
The Attic Anthropology of trash turned into The Attic when it was performed in Neue Musik in St. Ruprecht, Vienna, in October 2021 under the theme “The collection”. By replacing a couple of props such as bottle caps by a plastic pearl-necklace and napkins by old handwritten letters, a whole new scenario emerged. In The Attic, the idea of recycled materials is displaced by the remains of a woman found in an attic. Interestingly, the sounds and performing actions remain the same in both versions. However the connotation of the employed objects brings a very different context to the piece. While the recycled junk found in the bins proposes ideas of activism and environmental commentary, the objects found in the attic, suggest a nostalgic, somehow decadent Stimmung. This unexpected experience raises a fascinating new question of how visual and theatrical actions bring different meanings to the abstract nature of music. Returning to the Thing Theory, it is intriguing to observe how objects have their own spirit that transcend the realm of sound, adding new expressions and meaning to the music. Anthropology of trash should be amplified.
Anthropology of trash stage design
Techs/props:
– Minimal amplification for flute and percussion table (see diagram) – Two music stands with lights – Percussion table (or any table) –2 microphone stands without the mics (only the stands) for props
