Vintage music exhibition launched.
Music enthusiasts are invited to explore the history and legacy of music boxes and mechanical instruments as the All Ears exhibition kicks off at Millennium Point next month.
Taking place at Eastside’s Millennium Point from Monday 1st June to Sunday 14th June, the All Ears exhibition is part of the internationally renowned experimental and music arts festival, Supersonic.
Curated and produced by Digbeth-based arts organisation, Capsule, All Ears will explore new works responding to innovations in early music technology, and will include a new-scale commission by artist collective Owl Project, a collaborative group of artists who work with wood and electronics to fuse sculpture and sound art to create music through machines, interfaces and objects.
Audiences will be able to marvel at a five-octave pipe organ reconditioned by composer, multi-instrumentalist and historian, Sarah Angliss and artists Colin Uttley and Eve Warren, experience environmental sounds via Morton Underwood’s listening device, and synchronise with artist Paul Gitten’s Oak Apple Orchestra.
These new works will be exhibited alongside examples of Victorian music boxes and table top organs from Birmingham Museum Trust’s rarely-seen collection.
For one day only, Millennium Point will also host Bees in a Tin – a day dedicated to presentations and demonstrations by artists whose work crosses between the arts, science, technology and gaming. Also part of Supersonic Festival, Bees in a Tin will take place on Friday 12th June and will feature performances and workshops on a variety of topics including microbiology, research through design and sculptural music controllers from key makers and thinkers from around the country.
Matt Andrews, head of projects at Millennium Point, says: “At Millennium Point we like to offer something different to our visitors and hold events that will attract people from across the city and this event highlights the venue’s status as a hub for showcasing and celebrating innovative cultural events.
“We’re really excited to be working with Capsule to bring our visitors such a unique exhibition, particularly as it runs alongside Supersonic Festival, one of the premier experimental music and arts festivals in the world with an international travelling audience.”
Lisa Meyer, creative director at Capsule, said: “Capsule is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Birmingham Museums Trusts collection. The collection is full of hidden treasures which have inspired the work made by these contemporary artists on show at Millennium Point. It’s a really wonderful collaboration between all partners.”
All Ears will take place at Millennium Point’s level two concourse from Monday 1st June to Sunday 14th June daily from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free.
All Ears workshops will take place on Saturday 06th June – Juneau Projects: DIY Modular Music Makers Workshop from 12-5pm and Morton Underwood: Augmented Listening Workshop from 2-3pm, and Saturday 13th June – Owl Project: Optikit Workshop from 12-1pm and 2-3pm and Morton Underwood: Augmented Listening Workshop from 2-3pm.
Bees in a Tin will take place on Friday, 12th June from 10.30am to 5pm. Tickets range from £6 to £10 and include lunch. For more information, visit: www.bees2015.eventbrite.co.uk