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Colston Hall cellars come alive
It’s probably the last chance to walk within Colston Hall’s historic cellars before they are transformed into new event spaces, teaching facilities, and studios as part of the venue’s ambitious redevelopment plans.
And in their long history (throughout the 19th century they were used as Bristol’s original customs warehouse), they have never been used like this before.
is needed now More than ever
As part of Bristol New Music festival, the cellars are the setting for the world premiere of an art and sound installation by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.
More than 100 analogue radios come to life in a communal song featuring the voices of musicians such as Jarvis Cocker from Pulp, Jimi Goodwin from Doves, Elena Tonra from Daughter and singer-songwriter Beth Orton.
In a space normally closed to the public and last year used as a filming venue for Sherlock, Requiem for 114 Radios features a rendition of Dies Irae from the Roman Catholic funeral mass, which also can be heard in the opening credits of The Shining.
“We wanted to make a new work that mourns the decline of analogue technology,” said Forsyth and Pollard, directors of the fictionalised Nick Cave documentary 20,000 Days on Earth.
“Digital is too clean. It doesn’t degrade and screw up in the same way – there’s no in-between spaces filled with static and white noise.
“We’re thrilled to be given access to this remarkable space inside Colston Hall. The acoustic properties of these low brick cellars combined with our unstable choir of 114 radios will make for an unpredictable experience.”
Requiem for 114 Radios forms part of Bristol New Music Weekend from May 12-15. The installation opens to the public on Friday, May 13 from midday to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm. The installation will then be open every Saturday and Sunday until June 5 from 11am to 6pm; and every Wednesday evening until June 1 from 5pm to 10pm.
For more information, visit www.colstonhall.org/shows/iain-forsyth-jane-pollard/
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