Given the global limits on travel, mobility and social proximity during the current 2020 pandemic, many experiences generally witnessed in person are now ‘on-lined’ and mediated through the internet Somnifacient Signals traverses the network, mining it as a medium, creating seven audiovisual impressions of seeing and hearing the world through a screen, two speakers and the world wide web.
During the premiere deferred performance for Gray Area, Pierce Warnecke and Matthew Biederman travelled while stationary collecting and processing images, video, sounds and field-recordings found online, bouncing them back and forth between each other across continents while they waited and worked in confinement.
From night-vision cameras in a South African game reserve to public security video feeds of New York City, group Zoom meetings to chats, these pieces take a trip through cyberspace using live streams and localized sounds as source material in order to work out some sentiments experienced during the COVID-19 pause.
All audio and video processed in real time as isolated studio-based performances using various online live cams, sound maps, etc.
Those who purchase the entire Somnifacient Signals collection will receive a full-length recording of the performance in addition to the seven distinct video works.
Project sources: Radio Aporee; Djuma Private Game Reserve; CAB VIEW: Live chat and Stream from the Bergen Line, Norway; Times Square: Duffy Square 4K View Live; Las Vegas: AE View Live; spcaLA Cat Porch; Kitten Academy Live Stream; Nursery at Warrior Canine Connection; Wolong Grove Panda Cam; Lower River - Katmai National Park, Alaska; Brooks Falls - Katmai National Park, Alaska; Salisbury Beach - Cam; Pacifica Pier and Beach Live 4K.
