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ZPTPJ·初

  • AV Performance
  • Video Theatre
  • Experimental Electronics
  • 3754 Views
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ZPTPJ·初
Project website: https://www.zptpj.com/

「初·ZPTPJ」is an audiovisual performance project initiated by Miao Jing (visual artist, animator) and Jason Hou (composer, sound designer). Miao and Jason are fascinated by creation myths, archeology, simulation theory and so on. The name “ZP TPJ” comes from the golden era called “Zep Tepi” (the first occasion) in Egyptian mythology.

Increasingly more evidence indicates that the modern understanding of the linear development of our civilization is wrong. It’s highly probable that an advanced civilization which thrived in the distant past was wiped out by a global cataclysm. They have left a legacy of sacred monuments and mystical texts for us to decipher; there is an essential lesson to learn from their demise. The incredible achievements of ancient civilizations such as Sumer and Egypt suggest a technological and cultural transfer from a much older and unknown generation.

The performance is currently 45 minutes long with multiple chapters unveiling the rise and fall of a simulated civilization that reflects our own reality on earth. It questions whether we are a species with amnesia and wonders where humanity is heading at the verge of technological singularity. Miao and Jason perform this story as two archivists of records, extracting audiovisual information on the stage. They strive to develop their “primal-futuristic” style of audiovisual language to provide the audience an immersive experience, transporting them to an alternate reality.

「初·ZPTPJ」is a long term on-going project. Miao and Jason want make the show constantly evolving with new contents and improvements every time. They adjust the visual and sound to each performance space to create the best possible experience for the audience. They also look forward to implementing new technologies and other forms of performance art into the show in the future.

Miao Jing and Jason Hou started collaborating on audiovisual installation works such as “渐·Transition”, “O” and “博物柜·Cabinets” from 2015. In 2017, they wanted to explore the possibility of audiovisual art further, then 初·ZPTPJ was initiated. After a year of developing the core contents for the show separately, Miao and Jason had the opportunity to work closely together during their artist residency in Paris (May - July 2018) supported by Dawan Art. The majority of the show was developed and the duo started touring from July 28th of 2018. So far they have played in Shanghai (ALL Club, Extrart Base, VAS Live), Beijing (CHAO Art Centre), Chengdu (Nu Space), Chongqing (Opening Ceremony of Nebulas Award for Chinese Sci-Fi Literature) , Phnom Penh (Prince Bay Art Festival ) and Santa Fe (Currents New Media 2019).

Miao Jing and Jason Hou perform the visuals and music live. Miao mixes multiple layers of video clips and effects with a Midi Fighter Twister and a Launch Pad. Jason Hou performs the music with an AlphaSphere, a midi keyboard and a continuum fingerboard. The AlphaSphere is a programmable midi controller that can control 16 midi channels with polyphonic aftertouch capability, thus it can be programmed to perform according to each song’s characteristics (for instance, it can be a percussion set for one song and a multi-timbral synth for another). Jason sends midi and audio signal to Miao’s computer that trigger and affect the visuals. Miao also sends audio from video clips to mix with Jason’s audio.

Duration (minutes)

45

What is needed

- Projection Wall + 1~3 projectors
- 2.0 Sound System
(more details include in tech rider when it's approved)

What the artists brings

Jason Hou is a Beijing-based music producer, composer and sound designer. Jason's musical style fuses a wide variety of sounds while still maintains a strong sense of continuity. Jason is active in the local music scene as a member of artist collective and label Do Hits. He is known for his iconic style of live performance using the AlphaSphere (a MIDI controller invented by Adam Place of Nu Desine) . In 2016, he was invited to play at BMW Welt in Munich. In 2018, he performed at Berghain in Berlin during the 19th CTM festival. Jason is also a founding member of 2nd Sense Audio, an audio software company in Beijing that developed the synthesizer plug-in WIGGLE, which received Innovation and Performance Awards from Computer Music magazine. Jason has released a full length album “Sheng” and an EP “Origin” on Do Hits. Other releases including remixes of Beijing opera classics “Mountain Dingjun” and “Empty Fort Strategy” on China Music House, collaborating with opera artist Zhengyan Tan; remix for producer ill.Gates’ “More Tea” on Muti Music; “Foreign Land” on Outallectuals, collaborating with singer-songwriter Yider. Jason produced "The Beginning " and "Where is That " for singer-songwriter ADuo’s album “Reborn”. Jason’s composition is included in the 2nd season of Native Instruments’ “Native Sketches” project. He produced music and appeared in Intel’s 2018 commercial for the Core 8th Gen CPU. His DJ mixes were featured on Rinse FM and Radar Radio and his music is recommended by Jojo Mayer, Mad Decent and Boiler Room. Jason collaborates with visual artist Miao Jing of Hibanana Studio on audiovisual project “Transition”. It has been exhibited at Chong Qing Apple Store, Currents New Media Festival in New Mexico and Harper’s BAAZAR 150th Anniversary Art Exhibition in Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. The duo is currently focusing on the audiovisual performance project “初 · ZPTPJ”. So far they have performed in Currents New Media 2019 in New Mexico, Grey Area Grand Theatre in San Francisco, the opening ceremony of 9th Nebulas Award for Chinese Sci-Fi Literature in Chongqing, Chang Jiang Theatre, Vas Live, Extrart Base in Shanghai, Nu Space in Chengdu and CHAO Art Center in Beijing.

  • AV Performance
  • Video Theatre
  • Experimental Electronics

Authors

Hibanana Studio
Hibanana Studio

China 上海市

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