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LP
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SP BETA
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Sound-art converts all kinds of objects, artifacts and places into potential sound producers. Through setups, twisting and staging, the performance is virtually limitless and can also be enriched with selected constraints like the Oulipian literary works. Between performance and installation, sound-art is an in situ experience that takes place on industrial wastelands, natural environments or public spaces. Animated since 2000 by Carlo Crovato, Radboud Mens, Jens Alexander Ewald, and Geert-Jan Hobijn, Staalplaat SoundSystem has organized many ephemeral experiences that only last the time of an exhibition, an event, hence the need to document, to embed the sound of these singular creations. After Composed Nature/Yokomono-Pro in collaboration with Lola Landscape Architects (AM 004LP, 2012), this record is the second "sonic photography" of Staalplaat SoundSystem, which gives an idea of some of its works. As a genuine conductor, on Installations Staalplaat SoundSystem mixes the strident noise of machines, the harrowing sound of sirens, and footsteps and voices, which resonate in the hall. For "Plan C", several sonic worlds follow each other: a little music box, cobbled up from a perforated paper strip; deep and eerie drones; metallic sound streaks synchronized with the light triggered by the faraway echo of the surrounding traffic which reveals the bridge structure; a line of wooden crates whose vibrations develop, increase in power and rumble like a thunderstorm. "Sale Away" has, again, wooden crates anchored to the metallic structure of the building play the role of a resonance chamber. Mixing with this drum-like sound device comes the soft hiss of flutes produced by vacuum cleaners and the purring of fans and radios tuned to 50 Hz. The two excerpts selected for the installation in Nantes give an effect of metallic overvoltage coupled with a mechanical moan. The three other excerpts of "Sale Away" are rougher, if not violent. The impressions of mechanical torsions and distortions, of noises that bang together like in the hold of a ship are more pronounced. In both cases, the spectators play a role, controlling the sources, the sound, with their mobile phone. This underlines even more the peculiar side of the installation according to its setting up. This interaction is in line with the Staalplaat SoundSystem spirit, which asserts itself away from galleries and museums and remains "down-to-earth".
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LP
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AM 004LP
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In collaboration with LOLA Landscape Architects, issued by this Alga Marghen-related imprint in an edition of 250 copies. "Produced by Staalplaat Soundsystem in order to document their recent sonic activities and researches, this LP record is focused on 2 projects. Composed Nature by Staalplaat Soundsystem and LOLA landscape architects, is an installation developed for the Centrum voor Beeldende Kunst Dordrecht, consisting of a matrix of 64 trees. Controllable mechanical vibrators are mounted on individual trees and are operated through custom made software. The sound of each tree can vary from a barely audible noise to a heavy 'Green noise', thereby offering different sound textures to be played. To play the trees, many spatial sonic patterns have been programmed, and a musical composition titled 'Shiver Me Timbers' has been written. 'Yokomono pro' by Staalplaat Soundsystem, was originally developed for the Indian Khoj (International Artists Association in New Delhi). This piece questions horn noise as a social sound and communication. The incredible volume and size of Indian traffic and the sounds it produces, was the inspiration for this project. Their communication language seems to be spoken with the horn; signaling with it everything needed, much the way we use indicator lights in Europe. We seek to intercept this phenomenon of car signaling and overlay it within a so-called meaningful structure. 30 auto rickshaws were hired and prepared technically in order to remotely take over control of their horns. This enabled to synchronously play rhythmic patterns as the autos drive along a pre-determined route. Using the taxis with their horns as a choir, it forms a combination of voice patterns and dynamic spatial movements which in turn create an undetermined sound choreography." Includes a 4-page insert with notes and diagrams.
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3" CD
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STMCD 022
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"Staalplaat Soundsystem is an eclectic mix of techno culture and sound art installation. The initiator of Staalplaat Sound-system Geert-Jan Hobijn is the founder of the Staalplaat music label and he has been the organizer of many sound art and performance events in the past. What is probably not so well known is that Geert-Jan Hobijn not only is a producer, but has also always been influential in how many Staalplaat productions looked and sounded. With Staalplaat Soundsystem Geert-Jan Hobijn finally shows his own creative talents openly. No doubt the move of the Staalplaat headquarters from Amsterdam to Berlin has been important in making this happen. Whereas in Amsterdam media culture is an indoors experience most of all, Berlin has a very strong public media art scene with a deep interest in sound art and experimental techno-music. Geert-Jan Hobijn knows the experimental music scene inside out. With the Staalplaat Soundsystem he combines this knowledge with his experience in shaping performance art events. Working from a punk aesthetic (Staalplaat was founded in the beginning of the 80's) and his knowledge of 20th century avantgarde music traditions the Staalplaat Soundsystem has developed into a trashy extravaganza with the down to earth simplicity of the Cagean music universe. Every event is tailored to fit its environment. Give the Staalplaat Soundsystem an interesting or challenging space to work with and the space gets transformed into an immersive environment with many of the characteristics of the world of experimental music and performance in which Staalplaat has always been one of the vectors." --Josephine Bosma
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