A new artwork commissioned by electronica duo FitkinWall for their new show Harpland will see renowned light artist Peter Freeman reunited with one of his most familiar public artworks when it plays Lighthouse on Saturday 30 November.
For the Cornish artist designed the light installation that forms part of the façade of Lighthouse, using neon lights to work with the building’s architecture in a range of colours. The installation was unveiled in October 2002 when Poole Arts Centre reopened as Lighthouse after a major refurbishment.
Peter’s art is also on show in Harpland, in which FitkinWall – harpist Ruth Wall and composer Graham Fitkin – perform captivating new versions of old Gaelic songs and Highland tunes conjuring up mesmerising sound worlds on three wildly different harps, Moog synth and electronica.
It is strong, immediate music – pulsating patterns, eerie melodic fragments, sumptuous harmonies – all constructed with care and precision. Allusions can be drawn to new-classical, folk, even ambient and systems music, with hints of artists such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Lau or Haushka somewhere in the ether.
Harpland focuses on one small aspect of migration – the eviction and subsequent migration of farmers and crofters from the Scottish highlands during the Clearances – remoulding Scottish melodies from the time, and interspersing interviews from recent migrants in to Scotland.
Both artists also work independently. Ruth has worked with Goldfrapp, Kathryn Tickell, RLPO, BBC Orchestras and film composers John Lunn and Clint Mansell. She tours extensively in venues from Radio City New York and Glastonbury, to Sydney Opera House and Roskilde Fest. Graham’s music has been performed by artists such as Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, New York City Ballet, BBC Philharmonic, Yo-Yo Ma, Will Gregory, choreographer Wayne McGregor and artist Shezad Dawood. His music has been released by Decca, Sony, BIS, Naxos and many others. He has won three BASCA Composer Awards, an International Grand Prix Dance Music Award and the Royal Philharmonic Society Composer Award.
(NC)