POLAR FORCE, SPEAK PERCUSSION 2018-2023

Polar Force evokes the beauty and infinite complexity of Antarctica. New high-fidelity field recordings, made by Phil Samartzis, in the Australian Antarctic Territory are augmented by custom-built musical instruments made to manipulate pressurised air, water and ice. Polar Force is an investigation of extreme wind, ice, and pristine Antarctic field recordings combined with live industrial percussion to envelop the audience in a visceral soundscape and performance environment.

“Polar Force revealed such a thoughtful and refined approach to the from-scratch creation of space and environment, strong enough to carry its audience from the middle of Redfern into the middle of Antarctica in the most raw, novel way. Dissolving an inner-city safety net with lighting, recordings and performance left its audience truly exposed, and let its audience become completely entrenched in a shimmering and pure Antarctic landscape with all of its fierce power and lonely beauty intact.”

Polar Force Review, Maddy Briggs, Limelight, 7th Jan 2023.

SEASONS OF POLAR FORCE

Carriageworks, Sydney Festival, 2023

Noorderzon Festival, Groningen, Netherlands, 2019

Ruhrtriennale, Essen, Germany, 2019

CyberArts exhibition, The Prix Ars Electronica, Linz, Austria, 2019

Transart Festival, Bolzano, Italy, 2019

PICA, Perth, 2019

Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne, 2018

ARTISTS

Composer and Co-Director
Eugene Ughetti

Co-Director:
Clare Britton