December 9, 2009

Ellen Fullman concert @ the BAM/PFA


Ellen Fullman
photo by Styrous®

Last week I had the pleasure of experiencing and photographing the performance of "Compositions for the Long String Instrument" by Ellen Fullman at the Berkeley Art Museum.

The Long String Instrument is an installation of dozens of wires fifty feet or more in length, tuned in "Just Intonation" and bowed with rosin-coated fingers. Fullman began developing the instrument in 1981. She has also developed a unique notation system to choreograph the performer's movements, exploring sonic events that occur at specific nodal point locations along the string-length of the instrument. The sonic results are amazing.


photo by Styrous®


photo by Styrous®

The performance began in darkness with only her hands lit with small video cameras mounted on each hand. The images from the cameras were then projected on the walls of the museum.


photo by Styrous®


photo by Styrous®

The long, sensuous drones produced by the instrument were trance inducing, nicely accommodating the blanket & bean bag fitted audience.


photo by Styrous®

When the first piece was finished, she was joined by Emily Packard on violin & Theresa Wong on cello. A trio par excellence.


Ellen Fullman, Emily Packard and Theresa Wong
photo by Styrous®



Emily Packard and Theresa Wong
photo by Styrous®



Ellen Fullman 
photo by Styrous®


Fullman was joined in the next selection by Gretchen Jude and Dave Douglas.


Ellen Fullman, Gretchen Jude and Dave Douglas 
photo by Styrous®


Attending the performance was dancer Anna Halprin whose dance troupe performed "Parades and Changes," in celebration of the inaugural opening of the Berkeley Art Museum in November 1970, almost forty years ago.


Anna Halprin 
photo by Styrous®

Anna Halprin's "Parades and Changes"



photo by Styrous®


photo by Styrous®


photo by Styrous®


photo by Styrous®


Gretchen Jude with rosin coated hands 
photo by Styrous®



Ellen Fullman with rosin coated hands 
photo by Styrous®


The event was breath-taking!!!!

Ellen Fullman has collaborated with such notables as Pauline Oliveros and The Kronos Quartet. She has performed in venues and festivals in Europe, Japan, and the Americas including: Instal, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Other Minds, the Walker Art Center, The Whitney Museum and Donaueschinger Musiktage. She has an extensive discography.


Viewfinder links: 
     
Ellen Fullman articles       
          
Net links: 
        
Ellen Fullman website       
Ellen Fullman discography.
       
YouTube link: 
       
Ellen Fullman     
       
           
Styrous® ~ December 9, 2009
       
     
       
~
~