The work – less known but no less significant than his sculptural work – contains some of the most important themes of Muñoz's art: the fascination for illusionism, narrative fiction and irony, the taste for paradox, the relationship between artist and spectator. In this piece, consisting of ten pieces lasting approximately 5 minutes, the artist's voice describes the tricks of a gambler interspersed with musical pieces composed and played by Gavin Bryars and a string quartet.
Words, instead of fulfilling a descriptive and communicative function, however end up displacing the public who is fascinated more by the sound and rhythm of the voice and music than by the literal meaning.
On the occasion of performance – Monday 15 June at 21.00 in HangarBicocca the British musician will be accompanied by the Sentieri Selvaggi ensemble, one of the most important realities in the field of contemporary music in Italy.
Gavin Bryans (1943) is one of the best known and most appreciated contemporary musicians, jazz bassist and one of the pioneers of "free improvisation" with Derek Bailey and Tony Oxley. Some of his early songs including The Sinking of the Titanic e Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet have achieved great popular success. His compositions include operas, chamber music, concerts and numerous vocal compositions. He has frequently collaborated with visual artists (including Juan Muñoz and Bruce McLean) choreographers (including Merce Cunningham and Carolyn Carlson) and directors (including Robert Wilson and Atom Egoyan). Since 1986 he has created the Gavin Bryars Ensemble. He has released on major labels (ECM, Point, Philips, Naxos, Decca, and his own GB Records).
The Association Wild trails was founded in 1997 with the aim of bringing contemporary music closer to the general public. The activity of Sentieri Selvaggia is articulated in the organization of an annual musical season in residence at the Teatro Elfo Puccini (Milan), in an intense concert activity in the most prestigious Italian musical seasons.
The concert is the third event in the HangarBicocca Public Program that accompanies Juan Muñoz's “Double Bind & Around” exhibition, highlighting the multiplicity and richness of cultural references that characterize the artist's work. The HangarBiococca Public Program is conceived and coordinated by Giovanna Amadasi.
Upcoming events:
Thursday 25 June 2015, 21.00 pm – The readymade writer – Meeting with the writer Enrique Vila-Matas and the curator Chus Martínez. In collaboration with Feltrinelli.
Thursday 2 July 2015, 21.00 pm – Screening of the sound work by Juan Muñoz and John Berger Will It Be a Likeness? (1996)
