BUmBUs
rhythm-events for the deaf and hard of hearing
BU has been conducting rhythm-events for the deaf and hard of hearing
under the title of "BUmBUs" since the beginning of 2003. In
various set-ups the event has been performed almost twenty times across
Slovenia as well as presented in Belgrade. The group's vision of "multimedia
rhythm" was always warmly welcomed by the audience, both the deaf
and the hard of hearing as well as those without audial impairment. As
a universal language, music, especially in its "primitive" aspects
of rhythm, is doubtlessly capable of tearing down social boundaries and
challenging communicational frontiers.
To an audience combined of people with essentially different abilities
and preferences of percepting sound BU are offering a new way of getting
in touch with the world(s) of music, concentrating mainly on the african
and latinamerican rhythmic traditions that they interpret in an idiosyncratic
way. Traditional percussions and dancing are complemented by further visual,
tactile and kinesthetic media. Visual materials that are being mixed live
on the screen (VJing) by the members of the group
not only offer stimulating background aesthetics but also cover themes
ranging from traditional life and pure nature to the urban aspects of
"other" continents, not forgetting to touch even upon some more
acute ecological or political topics. The sublime vibrations of the traditional
australian instrument didgeridoo manage to wrap up the rather intensive
rhythmic front of djembe, dundun, sangpan and kenken, softened in turn
by the high-pitched small percussions such as claves, shakers and bells.
Rhythmic perception and musical communication as matters of the entire
body.
By means of a multi-layered approach to their performance Bobnars United
are trying to engage their audiences in an intensive rhythmical exchange:
animation through dancing, mimick and sign language, translations of rhythm
into electronic visualisations (travel documentaries, animations, live
camera) and back, suggestions on the use of vibration-intensifying objects
such as baloons and parts of the interier all merge into an intensive
experience of a "foreign" - and the "own" culture
as well. The drumming workshops conducted with audially impaired children
and students brought many discoveries and informed crucial improvements
of BU’s multimedia approach to traditional drumming.
Beyond doubt there exist more than one form of music, largely known
to those who can hear "normally". Especially in their combinations,
visual, tactile and kinesthetic musical expressions can offer new comprehension
and novel delight to those allegedly deprived of such aesthetical or rather
communicational formats. The parallel sensory approach doubtlessly intensifies
bodily as well as cognitive enjoyment of culture through melody, rhythm
and dance that BU will do their best to share with You as well.
For picture galleries and video documentations of the events please
visit the project website: www.kud-bu.si/bumbus
(Slovene language only).
|