New Adventures in Sound Art will launch its 17th edition of the Deep Wireless Festival of Radio & Transmission Art January 17 – April 16 in South River.
Deep Wireless is a three-month celebration of radio and transmission art that includes performances, installations, hands-on workshops, a radio art compilation and special on-line broadcasts on NAISA Radio www.naisa.ca/naisa-radio.
Since 2002, the Deep Wireless Festival has been expanding the boundaries of the radio medium to include the many creative possibilities of communications technology to convey and enrich the possibilities of storytelling says a news release from the group.
All of the events this year take place at the new NAISA North Media Arts Centre in South River, located at the former location of Renée’s Cafe and Bean There Café at the corner of Ottawa Avenue and Highway 124.
"The Deep Wireless festival has been celebrating the art of the aural imagination since 2002 with annual performances, broadcasts, workshops and many special events. This year's theme is Sonic Reflections — Reflections of South River that are broadcast out into the world, and reflections of the world resonating in our memories and imagination,” according to Darren Copeland, Artistic Director.
Deep Wireless opens January 17 - 20 with Art’s Birthday, a celebration of art that happens worldwide on the 17th of January every year. Art’s Birthday was envisioned in the sixties by Fluxus artist Robert Filliou in his work A Whispered Art History in which he declared that the birth of art happened when someone dropped a dry sponge into a bucket of water.
On January 17, Montreal artist Martin Marier will perform at NAISA using his unique digital instrument called The Sponge which will also be transmitted live to listeners in Europe over the EBU Satillite network. Marier will also give an artist talk and another performance on Friday January 19 at 7 p.m.
On January 20th between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. experience and create Art in NAISA’s first Art’s Birthday Maker Day. Kids of all ages can try many fun and exciting art-making activities, including performing with an electronic instrument made out of a Sponge, constructing Natural Robots out of wood, making an Art’s Birthday hat and many more hands-on family friendly activities. All of the activities are free and suitable for all ages.
Later on in the festival from February 16 to April 16, NAISA will present Squeeeeque, an interactive sound installation by Montréal artist Alexis O’Hara that encourages collaborative sound making by participants. With mics in hand, visitors collaborate in song, their voices enhanced by sonic embellishments. Inspired by the architectural marvel that is the igloo, this installation also pays homage to the geodesic domes of the great thinker and architect, Buckminster Fuller.
Alexis O'Hara has a North Bay connection and then some. Her mother, Jocelyn Cote-O'Hara grew up in North Bay. Jocelyn's father, Raymond Cote, was prominent in the local Francophone community and Ecole Saint-Raymond is named after him. As well, Alexis is the niece of well-known Canadian musician, Mary-Margaret O'Hara, and actress-comedienne Catherine O'Hara. Alexis' father Tom is their oldest brother. (Thanks to Jim Murray for that info)
New Adventures in Sound Art is a non-profit organization that produces performances and installations spanning the entire spectrum of electroacoustic and experimental sound art. Included in its productions are: Deep Wireless Festival of Radio & Transmission Art, Sound Travels Festival of Sound Art, and the SOUNDplay Festival.
What: Deep Wireless Festival of Radio & Transmission Art
Where: NAISA North Media Arts Centre, 106 Ottawa Avenue, South River, ON
When: January 17 – April 16 (Performances Jan 17 & 19, Feb 4 & 10; Maker Day Jan 20)
Individual tickets: Exhibitions Pay What You Can / Performances $10
Passes & tickets can be purchased online at https://naisa.ca/pur
