C.C - Fest 2: "Evolution"

This months cover designed by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W

CC (composers concordance) Festival 2  - "Evolution". Article & photos by K.K.W

In a city with an absorbent amount of music and festivals, its hard to know where to go and who to see. Stylish, full of immense talent and diversity, Composers Concordance festival 2 (Evolution) promises to be a stellar event, and its definitely something to look forward to. 

Festival poster,  image courtesy of
Composers Concordance.

The festival features five concerts in one week "...augmenting in instrumentation from performance to performance." Instrumentation: electronics, solo, solo-duo-trio, chamber ensemble, and chamber orchestra.   

Composer Concordance festival 1, part 2  "marathon" @ Drom.
Milica Paranosic & Gene Pritsker

While all 5 will be memorable and powerful, I can't to see/hear "Solo-duo-trio" Dec 2nd @ Drom (an amazing dimlight Eastern European music venue/bar -restaurant), involving 30 composers, which is gonna be wicked & wild. 

Milica Paranosic @
Composers Concordance  Festival 1, part 5 -
Patterson University.

"Chamber ensemble", Dec 4th @ Shapeshifter lab: a 9 piece chamber ensemble made up entirely of composers premiering music written for the group. "Chamber Orchestra", Dec 7th @ Dimenna Center - Maryflagler Cary Hall. The program is entitled "legend" recalling the timeless melodies of Dvorak who, in 1893 NYC, spoke of the influence of Native American and African American music on his symphonies.

In an era where instrumental music, contemporary or otherwise, seems to have less mass appeal then ever, Composers Concordance is on of those groups breathing new life into the genre, inventively adding to it, presenting it different ways.  

Composers Concordance Festival 1, part 2 @ Drom.
Dan Barett. 

Composers Concordance Festival 1, part 2 @ Drom.
Gene Pritsker

Composers Concordance Festival 1, part 2 @ Drom.
Dan Copper

Composers Concordance  Festival 1, part 5 -
Patterson University. Lynn Bechtold

Composers Concordance Festival 1, part 2 @ Drom.
Margaret Lancaster 

Composers Concordance Festival 1, part 2 @ Drom.
Patrick Grant

Composers Concordance Festival 1, part 5
@ Patterson University.
Milica Paranosic

If you would like to know more go to:http://studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2012/02/composers-concordance-festival-part-1.html, or:http://studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2012/02/composers-concordance-festival-part_11.html, or:www.composersconcordance.com. "Art is the reason, art is the way"

RCINY (Romanian cultural institute)

This months cover by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W

Dark days ahead? Changes @ the Romanian Cultural Institute in NYC. Article by K.K.W

"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred" (1)

Traian Basescu (President of Romania) speaking at a rally in his support.
Photo courtesy of wikipedia

As if matters were not already somewhat grim in Romania (the fight over the judiciary, press freedom: journalists under fire, the referendum against the president, and possibly having to borrow money from the IMF, etc) now the government has changed the mission, subordination and leadership of the RCI. Most alarming is the undemocratic process by which these changes were made. It forgoes the regular transparent and consultive process of legislating by the Parliament of such a change.

Through an emergency ordinance bill passed on June 13th 2012, the government now seeks to "preserve and perpetuate national identity." Apparently elements within the government did not like the current direction of the RCI, and clearly sees the power having control over it brings. The changes made via the bill are aimed at stemming what some feel are "...highly negative effects of some state of affairs that tend to affect, permanently, the sense of belonging to the Romanian nation of those who are already settled, temporarily, in other states". In protest over the changes the director & deputy director of the RCINY have both pledged to resign in mid-Nov 2012.     

Corina Suteu (left- former director of the RCI),
& Oana Radu (former deputy director of the RCI)

The Romanian cultural institute has 17 branches, including NYC, in various parts of the world. Their strategy or aim, to be open to the outside world, re-link the Romanian cultural market (cut off from the west)with the western world. Given the broad reach of 17 branches, its an immense outlet for whoever appoints its leaders and has major influence over them and or to dictate policy. 

While the institute under its president Horia Roman Patapievici has maintained an a-political agenda, many feel it will be the complete opposite given new leadership via the changes, backed by the government. Also, there is the very real danger of the governments actions being used as a precedent for further acts that by-pass normal political process.     

Stefan Peca,  former communication coordinator.
 Image courtesy of  Mr Peca 

In addition to all this its clear that altering the mission of the RCI is part of a plan to use it as an instrument for serving the Romanian diaspora (Romanians living outside of the country who can still vote on many issues), bringing events and programs in Romanian for them. Conversing with Stefan Peca through Facebook about the matter he had this to say, "...Romanian politicians have changed the Institute's mission, which is now an instrument for mainly serving the Romanian diaspora, focusing on events and programs in Romanian for them. Though there are two other cultural governmental agencies in Romania with the sole purpose of serving the diaspora (one of them within the RCI), the new government decided to politicize the institution (which now runs under the direct control of the Senate) and choose a traditionalist, nationalistic path that reminds us of the communist 80s rather than the modern approach that the RCI had until the summer of 2012, when these changes occurred. It is such a shame because the new president of the institute has already declared that RCI will stop promoting "experiments" (new art, literature, music and film) and focus on rehashing the classics. The young artists (coincidentally whose works are the number 1 cultural export asset of the country) won't have support anymore (because they are not "established" enough), a considerable blow to Romania's "living" culture. Instead, the offer of the new RCI will focus on Romanian classic literature and science, a policy that proved to be a complete failure in the 90s. Instead of growing its status as one of the most vibrant European cultural institutes (and the work that RCINY has done in the past 6 years in NYC is exemplary - with a very small budget they managed to connect the best contemporary Romanian artists with the NY scene) the RCI will probably succumb to the dark ages of Soviet-type propaganda, and stop being regarded as representative to contemporary Romanian art. Already, young artists are abandoning all intentions to work with the new Institute, and probably a subversive movement against this politicization of culture - a long term cultural war, already showing its signs - will start very soon, just like in the early 2000s. " 

In the end, nothing lasts forever. And on that note, here's hoping that these dark days head will be no more then a brief interruption, that will soon pass thanks those who realize they have a duty to stand in active opposition, against a clear and present danger to contemporary Romanian culture.  
If you would like to know more, go to:http://icrny.org/n169-Romanian_Cultural_Institute_changed.html, or:www.google.com/search?q=romanian+politics+2012&hl=en&gbv=2&gs_l=heirloom-hp.3.1.0l10.51544.66264.0.69078.19.14.1.4.4.0.325.1511.9j1j0j2.12.0...0.0...1c.1.rCNbmWKOtkg&oq=romanian+politics"Art is the reason, art is the way" (1) Niccolo Machiavelli. Stage One Pro 51cm Road Bike - Road & Touring Bikes (Google Affiliate Ad)Packleader Pro 51cm Road Bike - Road & Touring Bikes (Google Affiliate Ad)roxy Oregon Shoes (Blk) - Women's Shoes - 9.0 M (Google Affiliate Ad)

Sasha Sagan

This months cover by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W

Sasha Sagan, @ Central Park West Oct 2012

"In between worlds of emotions."

Article & photos by K.K.W

"Often enough you find that ballet is a difficult art-form to understand, yet when you do its like looking up at the stars on a clear night. No words need be spoken." (1)

As with all other art-forms those who choreography infuse their performaces with various aspects of themselves, feelings of being alone, somber emotions and days spent tinged with the sensual. Sasha Sagan's piece embodies all of these things.

The low-key melodic tones of the music (Sebastian Plano & Olafur Arnalds)gripped the room as the dancers began their movements, tender graceful movements bespeaking loneliness even while being together. 4 pairs or couples, each merging and briefly breaking apart, in between them, worlds of emotions.

At various points a pair or single dancer would stop-still as the others carried on, their sudden immobility like a ringing note. An eerie reminder of isolation in a world that keeps moving and changing, despite the pain of the individual(s).

Its structural and rhythmic complexity never ceases to be personal, sensitive, and also universal. A somber shade always followed by a faint sense of light as powerful as the stars in the night, seemingly out of reach, though forever there. It was absolutely moving, so much like its creator.

Born Sasha Evtimova, her piece was part of the New York Choreographic institute's (an affiliate of the New York City Ballet) 2012 fall session, of which she was chosen to be a part of along to with two others (Gentian Doda & Troy Schumacher). She is by far one of great examples of contemporary Macedonian culture art.      

Sasha Sagan.  @ Central Park West, Oct 2012

If you would like to know more go to:www.studiophoenix.blogspot.com/2011/11/artist-spotlight-sasha-sagan.html, or:www.facebook.com/sasha.sagan?ref=ts. (1) Aleksandar Ares. "Art is the reason, art is the way."

Whitney V Hunter ("Site")

This months cover by Aleksandar Ares,
layout by K.K.W

"Site": Contemporary dance/performance.

Article & photos by K.K.W

On the one hand two words describe Whitney V Hunters "Site"; action & process. Then again the words struggle, brotherhood, and beautiful art, also comes to mind. Part symbolism, dance performance and what could be considered ritual/spiritual, "Site" is a five man act that draws together varied elements to create a complex visual story.

Set to an amazing score, part collected sounds from field recordings, Orisha music, contemporary blues, Hip-Hop and original text from photographer/visual artist Myron Christian Macauley's book, "Modern Man in Search of Soul", the music creates the perfect back-drop of sound to their stunning performance. Both merge together to transcend the stage and amaze the viewer with something tender, bold, that touches you.

The beginning seems to represent disunity, individuals in a struggle, competing for the microphone, the spot light, without much consideration for each other. As the performance proceeds there's a shift in the energy, the formation stats to change and unity begins to surface. A playfulness emerges not unlike young boys "rough-housing". One part reminded me of Winslow Homer's painting "Snap the whip", as the young men join hands in a line the two on either end hurls those in the middle forward, while still holding on to them.

When the end comes it courses with their vitality, a distinct power due to their greater sense of each other, the ritual that seemed to cleanse the bonds between them uniting their spirits while generating the feel of some lost African American folk tradition remade, through contemporary art. 

Whitney V Hunter is a visual/performance artist and curator. "Site" stars Hunter, Otis Donavan Herring, Youthen Joseph, Riccardo Valintine, Andre M Zachary. 

Whitney V Hunter

Whitney V Hunter.

If you would like to know more, go to:www.whitneyhunter.com/whmedium.