WHAT IS THE CULTURAL ECOLOGIES SERIES?
Unheard-of Ensemble, in collaboration with the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club, features world premieres and cutting edge music by artists exploring climate change, race, technology’s impact on our mental health, and feminism presented in a setting that brings people closer together in an open and adventurous way. For our 2nd Cultural Ecologies season, we are presenting three performances and the opening of a site-specific Gowanus soundwalk.
These free performances will take place at the Gowanus Dredgers Bunker as well as their paddle-in movie location (both ADA accessible). The audience will be able to attend the performance either via canoe (reserved in advance via donation to the Dredgers), sitting on one of the Dredgers’ new docks, or on shore via an accessible location. Each performance opens with a talk given by members of the Dredgers about their work in the Canal.
Not in Fact Dead – May 25, 2024
2 19th Street, Brooklyn
The first performance features ensemble members and composer-performers Ford and Iva presenting two premieres. Ford’s work sets the murky, sentimental poetry of Brad Vogel, Gowanus local and former Dredgers captain with video created in collaboration with artist Bonnie Ralston, while Iva’s work explores her connection to her Mexican culture through Aztec myth.
Featuring Special Guest VINES
Gowanus Soundwalk – July 13, 2024
.Ford teams up with longtime Unheard-of friend, composer, and augmented reality specialist Brian Ellis to develop a Gowanus soundwalk to be premiered on City of Water Day, July 13th. The soundwalk is experienced both from shore and by canoe using location data to map soundscapes from Unheard-of and recordings of the Gowanus flora and fauna.
Join throughout the day at the Bunker (2 19th street) to check out the new installation and join us on the water.
Ginger Flavored Bubblegum – August 10, 2024
Ginger Flavored Bubblegum explores transcendence from grief by honoring poet, filmmaker, and artist Theresa Hak Kyung Cha - who was murdered only a few days after the publication of her poetic autobiography, "Dictee." Using selections of poetry from Dictee, this expanded version explores grief using Unheard-of Ensemble, electronics, and videography by Phong Tran (who some might recognize from his electronic set last season).
Special Guest MIZU
SHIFTING HAZE – September 28, 2024
The last performance of the 2024 Cultural Ecologies season features emerging composers at the cutting edge of music and technology from composers Erich Barganier, Han Geul Lee, Catherine Phang, Alyssa Wixson, Andrew Harlan, and Annie Nikunen, each developing new multimedia works for the ensemble. This performance takes place during climate week. Come for the open paddle beforehand and join in to hear these premieres!
THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED, IN PART, BY PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.
Unheard-of’s performances are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
