Artist Introduction:
Qianhui
Sound/Photography/Installation Artist, Painter, Sound Designer
Qianhui (born in 2001) is a multidisciplinary artist based in London, specializing in sound, photography, installation art, and painting. Currently studying Sound Arts at the University of the Arts London, Qianhui’s work explores the unique interplay between sound and visuals, utilizing diverse media to create immersive and interactive artistic experiences for audiences.
Her practice encompasses sound design and installation art, delving into the fusion of sound expression and spatial awareness to craft emotionally resonant works. In photography and painting, she excels in capturing fleeting emotions with a delicate approach, presenting the serene beauty of life through a distinctive visual language.
Qianhui’s work has been exhibited at renowned London art venues, including Whitechapel Gallery 46, and she has participated in various live performances and events. Through experimental performances, she seeks to explore new forms of artistic expression.
Performance Concept: Future Ritual
“Future Ritual” is a multi-sensory, immersive live performance that integrates visual art, synthesizers, effects, live recording, sound experimentation, and real-time interactive visuals to create a deeply atmospheric audiovisual experience. This performance explores the intricate connections between folk music, electronic music, and noise, using an experimental artistic language to weave a narrative where tradition and future collide.
The performance features contact microphones, custom digital synthesizers, vocals, electronic synthesizers, and acoustic instruments (tonggu drums, bells, singing bowls), combined with dynamic visual effects programmed in real time. The music draws inspiration from the artist’s electronic music album Reconstruction and evolves into the realm of noise, transitioning from melodic compositions to non-melodic soundscapes. This journey of “contraction” to “release” invites the audience to immerse themselves and experience the boundaries being stretched.
Performers are dressed in red and black cloaks or long gowns, with hoods concealing their faces, evoking an aura of mystery and ritualistic significance. The venue is enveloped in smoke, with candles or warm yellow lights scattered across the floor. The overall lighting ambiance is predominantly red, symbolizing the tension of the ritual and the unknown of the future. Visual effects are crafted in TouchDesigner, producing distorted and dynamic imagery that reacts in real-time to the evolving sounds.
This performance boldly reimagines traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritage music, placing ancient cultural elements within the context of electronic and noise music. By exploring the tension and resonance between traditional rituals and modern technology, “Future Ritual” is not just a performance but an immersive experiment that bridges cultural heritage and futuristic imagination.
Technical Specifications
Audio Equipment
Synthesizers and Instruments:
- Custom-built digital synthesizer, controlled via iPad.
- Pipe wind synthesizer, MicroFreak synthesizer.
- Acoustic instruments: Tong drum, bells, singing bowls (equipped with contact microphones for capturing subtle sounds).
Effects and Processing:
- Ableton Live 11 for real-time audio processing and arrangement.
- Pure Data for sound experimentation and dynamic parameter control.
- Loop effects pedal, reverb effects pedal, delay effects pedal, granular noise effects pedal.
Sound System:
- Surround sound system to create an immersive spatial experience for the audience.
Visual Equipment
Real-Time Visual Generation:
- TouchDesigner for controlling dynamic visual effects, generating real-time distorted imagery synchronized with sound.
- Projector: High-lumen, 4K resolution projector, casting visuals onto the wall behind the performer.
Lighting System:
- DMX-controllable lighting fixtures with a primary red color theme.
- High-speed strobe lights and programmable laser lights to enhance rhythmic tension.
Stage Design
- Fog machine to create a diffuse atmosphere.
- Candles or warm yellow lighting points around the stage perimeter. (Optional for safety considerations)
- Cement flooring and walls for an industrial aesthetic.
Promotional Flyer
Design Style:
- Color palette: Black, red, and yellow.
- Reference style: [To be specified or provided with examples].
Copywriting
Title: Future Ritual
Subtitle: A Multi-Sensory Journey into Sound, Tradition, and Future
Description:
Step into a realm where ancient rituals meet futuristic soundscapes. Future Ritual is an immersive performance blending traditional Chinese music, experimental noise, and cutting-edge visuals. Experience the transformation of sound and space as tradition is reimagined through modern technology.
Date and Venue: (Fictional)
- Date: December 15, 2024
- Time: 20:00
- Venue: Dilapidated Factory, London
Ticket Information:
- Price: £25 (General Admission) | £15 (Student Ticket)
- Booking: www.DilapidatedFactory.art (Fictional)
Venue Details
- Venue Name: Dilapidated Factory, London
- Address: [Fictional Address]
- Capacity: 100 people
Facilities:
- Rustic industrial factory setting.
- Supports multi-projector setups and high-quality sound systems.
- Flexible lighting control system.
Layout:
- Central performance area with audience standing around the perimeter.
- Fog effects to create an atmospheric environment.
- Red lighting throughout the venue to enhance the ritualistic feel.
Target Audience
This event is designed for fans of experimental music, contemporary art, and immersive experiences, especially those interested in the fusion of traditional music with modern technology. Through its integration of visuals, sound, and spatial dynamics, Future Ritual offers a unique performance exploring the relationship between tradition and the future. Audiences will embark on a sensory journey where cross-cultural and avant-garde technology merge.