Audio Control Turn on Yuval's sonic flow

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Audio Control Turn on Yuval's sonic flow
Audio Control

photographic series, 2018-2019

The photographic series, Firedance II, was created in Accettura, a town in the Basilicata region of Italy. Between 2018 and 2019, Yuval conducted an artistic research there, delving into the traditions of this ancient area and immersing himself in the mystery of its rituals and popular celebrations.

One notable event captured in this series is the annual Fire of Accettura, held on the night of January 16th. This fire symbolizes familial unity, extending to include the entire neighborhood. The community comes together, filling the streets and gathering around bonfires built in honor of Sant’Antonio Abate. The shared wish to be together and to uphold a lasting tradition that connects generations is what unites everyone during this celebration.

Fire, a central theme of this event, represents the triumph of light over darkness, both external and internal. It is a fundamental element of life, symbolizing purification and the ability to dispel obscurity or illuminate our paths. Fire also stands for strength, resilience, patience, and passion —all qualities essential for enduring difficult times. It reminds us that we are sparks in the world and, collectively, we are fire.

This concept serves as a mantra: resist, breathe deeply, strive for beauty, conquer inner darkness, stay strong, and remember that everything passes.

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Massive Sonic Works:

/ˈmæsɪv ˈsɒnɪk wɜːrks/

Large-scale performances using collective participation to create powerful sound masses.

Yuval Avital’s “Massive Sonic Works” or “Opera di Massa Sonora” involves the creation of large-scale performances that utilize collective participation to craft a unique sound experience. These works focus on forming powerful sound masses through the collaboration of numerous performers, exploring new possibilities through sound rituals. The compositions often include graphic visual elements, written music, and easy-to-read instructions to allow interpretation by individuals without prior musical experience. This approach, sometimes involving hundreds of participants, aims to create what can be described as “crowd music.”

Some key works in Avital’s repertoire include:

– GARON (2012): An opera for 45 bass tubas do, percussions, and a crowd of performers.

– KARAGATAN (2013): A composition for 100 gongs and bamboo in the Philippines.

– REKA (2014): Commissioned by the Warsaw Autumn Festival and co-produced by the MiTo festival in Milan, involving traditional singers from unique cultures such as Tibetan, Zulu, Sardinian, Mongolian, and Samarkand traditions.

One of Avital’s significant compositions is MISE EN ABÎME, a milestone work that marks the beginning of his “Massive Sonic Works” series. Premiered in 2011, this composition involves a large ensemble of 100-200 non-musician vocalists, accordions, bass tubas, soprano, bass clarinet, percussions, didgeridoo, and conductors directing the performance in an immersive setup.

Another notable work is URLA, an immersive sonic experience with over 300 performers, showcasing diverse musical traditions in Matera, Italy. This piece combines traditional elements with modern instrumentation, theatrical actions, and innovative technological approaches, reflecting Yuval Avital’s interdisciplinary and transcultural artistic vision.

Yuval Avital’s creations blend complexity, cultural diversity, and technological innovation to create immersive and participatory sonic experiences that push the boundaries of traditional music composition and performance.