This year’s SPARC (Sound Practice and Research at City, University of London) Symposium focusses on the networks that underpin our world, from the natural networks that have been intrinsically woven through our human history and existence, via our collaborative/collective nature, to the digital networks that affect every aspect of contemporary life. How is music and sound art influenced by these networks and how do artists respond? Our 2024 symposium will explore these themes through talks, concerts, installation art and a soundwalk along the River Fleet.
As part of the symposium, we also launch SPARCLab, a new environment for immersive sound and movement that is now permanently housed at City’s Department of Performing Arts. SPARCLab includes an Ambisonic dome: a 24.4 channel loudspeaker system that surrounds the audience, and the IKO: a unique 20-sided loudspeaker array.
Please note, each day’s event requires a separate registration. Please visit the links below to the event details and booking forms.
Symposium Overview:
Tuesday 21st May: Symposium Day 1
19:00
Concert 1: SPARCLab Launch: From the City Studios - details and booking forms
Venue: Performance Space
A fresh mix of sounds from City's legendary Sound Studios including experimental electronic music, sound art, field recordings, and audio-visual work created over the past year by City students.
Wednesday 22nd May: Symposium Day 2
17:00-18:30
Workshop: Sculpting Sound with a 3D Speaker - details and booking forms
Venue: Performance Space
An introduction to the 3D IKO speaker array for young people aged 16+, led by Gerriet K. Sharma.
19:00
Concert 2: SPARCLab Launch: Sculpting Sound with Gerriet K. Sharma - details and booking forms
Venue: Performance Space
Gerriet K. Sharma, world expert in sound sculpture, multichannel composition, and site-specific installation, guest-curates a concert around the IKO, a unique 20-sided loudspeaker array that he co-developed. The concert features music and sound art composed specifically for the IKO and Ambisonic dome by Sharma and other international artists.
Thursday 23rd May: Symposium Day 3
17:00-18:30
Workshop: Immerse Yourself in 3D Audio - details and booking forms
Venue: Performance Space
A workshop for music professionals and artists interested in finding out about 3D audio, led by Natasha Barrett.
19:00
Concert 3: SPARCLab Launch: Speaking Spaces with Natasha Barrett - details and booking forms
Venue: Performance Space
World-leading composer Natasha Barrett, widely known for her work in electronic, acousmatic, and live electroacoustic music, also a City alumna, is offered carte blanche to introduce listeners into her 3D sound world with SPARC Lab’s Ambisonic dome, a 24.4-channel loudspeaker system surrounding the public.
Friday 24th May: Symposium Day 4
11:00–12:30
Talks - details and booking forms
Venue: Online
Mae Naam’ (แม่น้ำ): River Her Stories
SPARC is collaborating with the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music in Bangkok on a project around waterways in Bangkok and London respectively. We kick of our collaboration by inviting two artist and two water/river experts from each country to talk about their practice and research.
You will be sent a zoom link after you sign up for this event.
From 17:00
Installations - details and booking forms
Venue: The Pool and Music Studio, College Building
Lilja María Ásmundsdóttir: Core Being
Artists, composer and performer Lilja María Ásmundsdóttir’s living sound sculpture Core Being is inspired by subterranean textures and collaborative structures in nature.
SPARC Collective: A Walk with We in Front
This audio work was a collaboration between We in Front walking group and City, University of London alumni goup SAPRC Collective.
19:00
Concert 4: Wadada Leo Smith's Four Symphonies; Akau Tanaka and Chris Chafe - details and booking forms
Venue: Performance Space
Trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, creative composer/performer and author Wadada Leo Smith’s Four Symphonies is part of his Ankhrasmation work. “Smith defines his music as “Creative Music,” and his diverse discography reveals a recorded history of music centered in the idea of spiritual harmony and the unification of social and cultural issues of his world. He has created Ankhrasmation, a symbolic image-based language for performers or musicians.” The work will be performed by Cath Roberts, Charlotte Keeffe, Tullis Rennie and Claudia Molitor.
Live computer music composer and performer Atau Tanaka and composer, improviser and cellist Chris Chafe will perform a networked duo between London and California. Produced by IKLECTIK with technical assistance by Nathan Adams and Synthia Payne.
Saturday 25th May: Symposium Day 5
12:00–18:45
Talks - details and booking forms
Venue: Room AG09
Presentations by Kate Carr & Iain Chambers, Rebekah Wilson, George Speck, Yasmine Ostendorf-Rodriguez, Mary-Ann Kernan, Joseph Kohlmaier and Laudan Nooshin & Milo Fox. Please see event page for full details.
19:30
Concert 5: Robert Mitchell & Shirley Smart and Rubbish Music - details and booking forms
Venue: Performance Space
Pianist Robert Mitchell and cellist Shirley Smart will improvise in the second networked performance of the symposium.
Rubbish Music is Iain Chambers and Kate Carr. They use sound to investigate the journeys, transformations and impacts of our discarded objects. Using our worn-out treasures, empty vessels and broken devices as an orchestra of vivid musique concrète materials we examine the worlds we make and destroy via our rubbish.
Sunday 26th May: Symposium Day 6
11:00
Soundwalk with Catherine Kontz - details and booking forms
Meet at Hampstead Heath
Catherine Kontz: Fleet Footing
We will meet at Hampstead Heath and walk along the river Fleet to Blackfriars Bridge for this soundwalk by composer Catherine Kontz.
The walk is about 10km long and details will be e-mailed once you have signed up. There is also the opportunity to join us for part of the walk.
Attendance at City events is subject to our terms and conditions.