ZOË D'HONT

December 1952 (After Earle Brown)

Video with binaural sound, 8.25 min, 2021

The work derives from a graphical music notation by Earle Brown: December 1952. The notation is transformed into a three-dimensional space through which movement becomes possible, the camera functioning as an entity that occupies place and perspective. The various movements are translated into an auditory experience, in which the relationship between subject and object is explored. How do we relate to our environment? To an architecture or object? What exactly causes you to be attracted to something and react? What moves you? Moments of physical presence and tangibility alternate with abstract cosmic resonances. A continuous interaction between the small and the large. Sound can resonate the whole tonality of life.

Photos by Peter Cox

Headphones recommended

Original notation of December 1952 by Earle Brown (1972)

Nine Bells

Performance, 2020

Nine Bells was composed by Tom Johnson in 1979. After he performed the piece several times himself, he published the notation of Nine Bells to allow other musicians and performers to perform Nine Bells. Which bells to be used is free to the performer. I created 9 tubular aluminium bells. In Nine Bells the natural order is expressed in several layers. The geometric patterns determine the walking route of the performer, but also the character of the sound: the star expresses itself in a cosmic slow sound and the circle in a rotating cadence that ends where it started. Nine Bells has an almost ritualistic character. I approach the study and performance of Nine Bells as the ritual that I perform for the music, the space, the time, being there.

Photos by Loes van Duijvendijk

Geomatric walking patterns of Nine Bells

Compose Performance, 2014