B(l)(e)(e)(n)ding(s) is an on-going research project based on collaborative experiences and field recordings, since 2015 in Southern Africa (South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique) by Swiss artist and electroacoustic composer Luca Forcucci.

Forcucci alongside collaborators, Cara Stacey and Mpho Molikeng will present an exploration of bows and wind instruments within an electroacoustic context. Partially written, the collaboration dedicates a big part to improvisation and live composition. The core idea relates to a hybrid form merging Southern African instruments, live composition, electroacoustic music and collaboration.

The South African tour sees performances in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

The South African tour starts with a performance at the Kalashnikovv Gallery in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on the 14th of June 2018. In their recently opened gallery space, at 70 Juta Street, audience members will also be able to view the current exhibition. In Pretoria, B(l)(e)(e)(n)ding(s) will perform at Mthubi the Hub on the 15th and the Fête de la Musique on the 16^th, facilitated by Capital Arts Revolution. See more performance dates below.

About the artists
Luca Forcucci is an artist and electroacoustic composer of Swiss and Italian citizenship based in Berlin. His research observes the perceptive properties of sound, space and memory. The field of possibilities of the experience is explored as the artwork. In this context, he is interested in perception, subjectivity and consciousness. This leads to electroacoustic compositions, performances, sound installations, and concrete poetry. A great influence is the late American avant- garde composer and musician Pauline Oliveros and her concept of deep listening expanded to all what is humanly possible to listen to. Forcucci achieved a PhD in Sonic Arts from De Montfort University and a MA in Sonic Arts from Queens University of Belfast.

Cara Stacey is a South African musician, composer and researcher. She is a pianist and plays southern African musical bows (umrhubhe, uhadi, makhoyane). Cara is a founding member of Inclement Quartet and collaborates with percussionist and drummer Sarathy Korwar in the project Pergola. Cara holds a Masters in musicology (Edinburgh Uni.), and a MMus in musical performance from SOAS (London).

Mpho Molikeng is a Lesotho born multi facet artist (curator, actor, musician, poet, painter,  storyteller, cultural activist/entrepreneur) who trained with Bloemfontein college (Fine Art,1995), and trained with Soyikwa Institute Of African Theatre (Drama,1998).

TOUR DATES

14 June           Kalashnikovv Gallery / Johannesburg
15 June           Mthubi the Hub / Pretoria
16 June             Fête de la Musique / Alliance Française / Pretoria
17 June           Home Lounge / Pretoria
18 – 20 June   Electroacoustic festival and conference “Bowed Electrons” Hosted by     the University of Cape Town’s South African College of Music
21 June           GUS Gallery of the University of Stellenbosch
22 June           Betwixt / 23 Ash Street, Observatory / Cape Townn
24 June           ISEA 2018 (International Symposium on Electronic Arts) / Durban