Neanderthal Electronics workshops on tour!

Posted in Announcement on April 2nd, 2009 by admin
Neanderthals Electronics workshops on tour April-June 2009!


Neanderthal Electronics workshop, Tartu Estonia from macumbista on Vimeo.

.:::DATES + CITIES:::.

20-24 Apr: Queen St. Studios, Belfast UK
04-09 May: eNKa, Berlin DE
25-29 May: Lydgalleriet, Bergen NO
01-05 Jun: WORM, Rotterdam NL

.:::NEANDERTHAL ELECTRONICS:::.

More than 40,000 years ago, our Neanderthal predecessors invented the first music instruments from simple objects around them (bones and stones, sticks and skins…), without reference to any existing music history, and primarily for their own pleasure rather than that of others.

Nowadays, we use complex audio hardware and software which make it “easier” to make music, so long as we channel our creativity into such socially acceptable avenues as Western Classical or Minimal Techno. As with any established genre, the results are often completely predictable, and therefore quite boring.

But some of us, deep in our wild hearts, still long for the Stone Age simplicity of pure noise!

This 5 day workshop is designed for 8-10 people, possibly with a background in sound, but with no previous electronics experience. They are shown how to use simple objects from our modern environment (resistors, capacitors, transistors, LEDs, integrated circuit chips…) to design and build their own personal, customized primitive noise synthesizers. Each is a tiny world of its own, using primitive analog computers in combination with feedback, sensors and audio inputs to create a unique sound. Even from the same plan, no two are alike!

Participants are encouraged to use found materials for the construction of their personal instrument. The workshop concludes with a group performance and an invitation to the audience to experiment with each of the instruments which have been created.

.:::VIDEOS FROM PREVIOUS WORKSHOPS::::.

http://www.vimeo.com/album/64426

.:::ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:::.

Derek Holzer (1972) is an American sound artist living in Berlin, whose current interests include DIY analog electronics, sound art, field recording and the meeting points of electroacoustic, noise, improv and heavy metal music. He has played live experimental sound as Macumbista or Derek Holzer–as well as taught workshops in Pure Data and electronics–across Europe, North America, Brazil and New Zealand.
http://blog.myspace.com/macumbista
http://www.vimeo.com/macumbista
http://www.umatic.nl/info_derek.html

.:::REGISTRATION INFO:::.

Please register early for all workshops, as they are limited to 10 places each! All workshop fees include electronic components + use of tools.

BELFAST

***DATES: Monday 20 April – Friday 24 April 2009 10.00-16.00 daily
***LOCATION: Digital Arts Studios, 37-39 Queen Street Belfast BT1 6EA
***COST: This workshop is FREE!
***FINAL PRESENTATION: Saturday, 25 April 2009 9pm til late. Catalyst Arts, 5 College Court Belfast BT1 6BX. £5 donation welcome.
***REGISTRATION: events@digitalartsstudios.com or phone 02890312900

BERLIN

***DATES: Monday 4 May – Saturday 9 May 2009 12.00-18.00 daily
***LOCATION: eNKa / ElsenStr. 52 (2.Hof) Berlin, Germany
***COST: 120 EUR
***FINAL PRESENTATION: Saturday 9 May, 19.00, eNKa
***REGISTRATION: eNKa_NK@gmx.de www.myspace.com/enka52 +49 (0)176 20626386

BERGEN

***DATES: Monday 25 May – Friday 29 May 2009 10.00-16.00 daily
***LOCATION: Lydgalleriet, Østre Skostredet 3, Bergen, Norway
***COST: 500 NOK (approx 56 EUR)
***FINAL PRESENTATION: Friday 29 May, 19.00, Lydgallerie
***REGISTRATION: post@lydgalleriet.no +47 48 23 78 88
This workshop is a collaboration with Piksel.no

ROTTERDAM

***DATES: Monday 1 June – Friday 5 June 2009 11.00-18.00 daily
***LOCATION: WORM, Achterhaven 148, Rotterdam
***COST: 50 EUR
***FINAL PRESENTATION: Friday 5 June, 21.00, WORM, 5 EUR entry
***REGISTRATION: workshop@moddr.net

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Neanderthal Electronics

Posted in Documentation on February 20th, 2009 by admin

Neanderthal Electronics: an instrument-building workshop by Derek Holzer

More than 40,000 years ago, our Neanderthal ancestors invented the first music instruments from simple objects around them (bones and stones, sticks and skins…), without reference to any existing music history, and primarily for their own pleasure rather than that of others.

Nowadays, we use complex audio hardware and software which make it “easier” to create music, so long as we channel our creativity into such socially acceptable avenues as Western Classical or Minimal Techno. As with any established genre, the results are often completely predictable, and therefore quite boring.

But some of us, deep in our wild hearts, still long for the Stone Age simplicity of pure noise!

The Neanderthal Electronics workshops are designed for approximately 8-10 people, possibly with a background in sound, but with no previous electronics experience. Over 5 days, they are shown how to use simple objects from our modern environment (resistors, capacitors, transistors, LEDs, integrated circuit chips…) to design and build their own personal, customized primitive noise synthesizers.

A final presentation allows the participants to demonstrate and play their creations, as well as allows the audience to make their own experiments with the newly built instruments.

This workshop has been realized so far at:

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, Denmark (Feb 2009)
Tartu Art Month, Tartu, Estonia (Feb 2009)

with future workshops under discussion to take place in Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia and the UK. The workshop is currently available for booking in Europe during Spring and Summer 2009.


Neanderthal Electronics workshop, Tartu Estonia from macumbista on Vimeo.


Copenhagen Noise Workshop from macumbista on Vimeo.

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