Sunday May 22nd @ Elastic Arts
3429 W Diversey Ave 2nd Fl, Chicago IL
8pm doors, 8:30pm show, $15
Blank Box:
New Dimensions in Sense-uality
Composition for multimedia ensemble
Sara Zalek - movement
Hyun Kim - movement
Sam Lewis - lighting/tech
Tselanie Townsend - video projections
Paul Giallorenzo - piano/electronics/composition/direction
Macie Stewart - violin
Hunter Diamond - reeds/percussion
Blank Box is a new and ongoing initiative by Homeroom to commission new multimedia work that is collaborative and performative. One of the goals is to encourage artists of all platforms and media to think, work, and collaborate with the ease and spontaneity of improvising musicians. Conceived by composer/pianist Paul Giallorenzo, this is the first original program that he brought to Homeroom since joining them as their first Artistic Director in 2019.
New Dimensions in Sense-uality is a work by composer Paul Giallorenzo that uses contemporary methods of avant jazz/new music composition/arranging/conducting of improvisation-laden music, extended into a multimedia, collaborative "ensemble" framework. This piece is set in abstract installation environments of video and dynamic lighting collaborated with music and dance/movement, utilizing a compositional framework that includes graphic scores, written music, musical and visual motifs and cues, and verbal instructions.
Originally intended to be presented live in a black box theatre, New Dimensions in Sense-uality was created in 2020/2021 for the streaming medium as a composition for "live abstract cinema". At the onset of the pandemic, Homeroom continued its work to maintain programming and engagement throughout the lockdown. Like so many others, we adapted to the (re)new(ed) medium of streaming, and conceived of this project as a film as much as a documented performance. As we found new ways to participate in art and interaction, we came to the realization that during this time, and still into the present, we are all broadcasters and we are all filmmakers.
This piece premiered in 2021, recorded with a 5 piece ensemble and streamed. This piece is now being revisited and reinterpreted with a larger ensemble and will be performed as originally intended - live - at Elastic Arts on May 22nd 2022.