One could think that conceptualism – both as a movement and artistic tendency – had never existed in contemporary music. There is no mention of this phenomenon in the vast literature on the history of the 20th and 21th century musical practices. Although conceptualism is primarily associated with the visual arts, let us not forget that its origins lie in music, e.g. in the musical experiments of John Cage and New School For Social Research, or Henry Flynt, who coined the term concept art.

In the current Glissando #29 issue we take a look at conceptualism understood as artistic experiments, which are no more limited to the creation of new forms or “material progress”. We focus on the practices subverting the conventional model of musical work or artwork in general and thus going beyond the traditional domain of aesthetics. The purpose of these practices is to redefine ontological, epistemological, and ethical problems.

Our Berlin presentation of the issue, co-organised with Errant Sound collective will include lectures, panel discussion, the exhibition posters created by Kama Sokolnicka, presentation of the label AltanovaPress as well as a concert by Lucio Capece, Heather Frasch, Joseph Kudirka and Koen Nutters.

Schedule:

1) Introduction to the #29 issue of Glissando – „Conceptualism” (Paweł Szroniak)
2) Lecture: „Impossible music” and Polish conceptual art of the 60’s and 70’s (Antoni Michnik)
3) Label presentation of Altanova Press (Paweł Szroniak, Zorka Wollny)
4) Panel Discussion: Musical Conceptualisms (Sebastian Berweck, Heather Frasch, Joseph Kudirka, Hanne Lippard – moderation: Monika Żyła, Paweł Szroniak)
5) Preview of the issues #30 & #31 (Daniel Brożek, Antoni Michnik)
6) Concert: Lucio Capece, Heather Frasch, Joseph Kudirka, Koen Nutters (pieces by Ryoko Akama, Allison Knowles, Mark So).

Date: 04.02.2017 (Saturday)
Time: 18:00-20:30
Place: Errant Sound
Kollwitzstr. 97
10435 Berlin