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People in black clothes, wearing masks and breathing.systems equipment on their chests. The lighting is dimmed, purple and pink.
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breathing.systems

Exhibition

Sat 25 April 11:30, 12:40, 13:50, 15:00

Undershed

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How does a voice tell the story of its body when it is heard through a network? 

breathing.systems is an immersive performance in which a custom-built wireless speaker system is worn by the performers, turning each body into a moving source of sound. The piece creates a communal, fluid, sound body, dispersing the artist’s voice across a network of collaborators - each node in a temporal community.

Blending classical vocals, spatial sound, and choreography, the piece creates a single voice shared across many bodies. 

Drawing on Neo-Gregorian and harmony singing traditions, and shaped by the textures of queer club sound, the performers move through and around the audience. You’re not just listening - you’re inside it, surrounded by a living, breathing chorus.

    What to Expect

    When you arrive to visit breathing.systems, a Gallery Assistant will welcome you into the gallery and give you time to settle into the space.

    This is a 40-minute live spatial sound performance in which 10 performers wear speakers and move around the audience, using live singing voice through movement.

    Audience members will be asked to stand in a marked spot on the floor, in a small group. We ask that you remain in this position for the duration of the performance.

    The work includes moments of loud sound and music, including deep bass frequencies and, at times, discordant high frequencies. Performers will move around the space and may come reasonably close to audience members.

    Lighting will be responsive and at times bright and colourful. There are also moments where the lighting will be very low. No strobe lighting is used.

    A person lies on stage in dramatic pose wearing black boots and attire in purple lighting. A group watches in the background, creating a theatrical ambiance.
    People in dark, avant-garde attire and masks stand under dramatic pink and green lighting on a stage, creating a mysterious, edgy atmosphere.
    People wearing masks dance under purple and blue lights at an indoor event. The atmosphere is lively, with hands raised and an energetic mood.

    About the artist

    Nik Rawlings (they/them) is a counter Tenor vocalist, composer and artist often focussing on spatial works. Their work considers networked presence, polymorphous bodies and vocal transformation. Situated between song, collective performance and dance, their practice explores the complex relational and spatial quality of voice through expansive live processing, modal chant and operatic techniques.

    They have performed and presented work internationally, including at LUMA Westbau, Sonica Festival, Glasgow’s Pipe Factory, Trinity Center, IRCAM Forum, B’Sarya Alexandria and Skissernas Museum, Arnolfini and The Cube; while receiving radio plays on BBC 3’s Late Junction, NTS and Noods. Most recently they released work on the Goddezz compilation Enochia, sang on exlRuth’s Accidental Meetings release Romeo’s Fall; and recorded with double bassist Caius Williams for Assembly Festival at Somerset House.

    Performers
    Anastasia Dahl
    Arianna Nocelo
    Johnny Jones
    Priyanca
    Rio Sipos
    Eve Baird
    Adriana MacKenzie
    Bethany Stenning (Silver Ley)
    Angelica Allen
    Katt Strike

    Production Team
    Ania Varez - Choreographer
    Sade Arellano - Lighting Desiger
    Jane Scarth - Producer

    A performer sings into a microphone on stage, bathed in vibrant pink and purple lighting, creating a dramatic and immersive atmosphere.
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