DJ Spooky: Rebirth of a Nation Asian Premiere of World-Class Multimedia Performance
Presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre Film x Music Series DJ Spooky: Rebirth of a Nation Asian Premiere of World-Class Multimedia Performance Tickets are available NOW at URBTIX outlets
“Brilliant application of DJ-technique to film – Groundbreaking! ” — The Los Angeles Times
The Hong Kong Arts Centre proudly presents DJ Spooky: Rebirth of a Nation this October at the Shouson Theatre. DJ Spooky, who plays multiple roles as “a globally renowned DJ/VJ, composer, multimedia artist, writer and digital culture scholar”, is coming to Hong Kong in October along with his world-class performance Rebirth of a Nation, which has made great waves at London’s Tate Modern and IMAX, New York’s MoMa, Athens’ Acropolis, and many other significant arts venues. The coming shows, along with a DJ workshop, seminar and masterclass, will be held in September and October at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.
Rebirth of a Nation stands at the frontline of cinematic trends and was first commissioned by the Lincoln Center Festival (New York City, USA). This trendsetting “DJ mix applied to cinema” and “three-screen and surround-sound live remix” of one of the most influential masterpieces in film history, The Birth of a Nation (D.W.Griffith, 1915), will bring your whole body into a vibrant multi-sensory experience. In previous shows, Rebirth of a Nation has attracted audiences of more than a hundred thousand.
Its mastermind and performer, DJ Spooky, is not only a brilliant artist of image and music who has worked alongside top-notch international personalities including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yoko Ono, Kronos Quartet and Steve Reich, he is also an active lecturer who has given speeches on digital remix culture at the prestigious European Graduate School and Harvard University. He’s also a proliferate scholar who has edited Rhythm Science, Sound Unbound and penned Book of Ice as well.
What kind of magice will come out from all these mixed elements? “When DJ / VJ culture was still in its infant stages, DJ Spooky had already integrated techniques such as cut-up, mix tape and even collage into his works. Rescoring black-and-white classics is one of his recent pursuits,” said veteran DJ/critic Dr. Wong Chi-chung. Featured in this world-class showcase is The Birth of a Nation, the first Hollywood blockbuster.Over ninety years since its original release, this classic - which centred around race issues and the glorification of the Ku Klux Klan during the American Civil War - is still a controversial masterpiece. “This is a call for everyone to experience, interact and look behind what’s being shown,” Chi-chung commented. He regards the African American DJ as a trendsetter of mash-up culture.
Rebirth of a Nation-Multimedia Performance (Oct 15, 2011, 2 shows)
Details: Date & Time: 15/10 (Sat) 2:30pm, 7:30pm Venue: The Shouson Theatre, the Hong Kong Arts Centre
Standard Tickets: Stalls: $380, Circle: $320 Group Booking can enjoy a 10%-20% discount.
*Tickets for full-time students, senior citizens, aged 60 and above, and physically challenged individuals. Stalls: $266, Circle: $224
- The programme lasts for about 70 minutes with no intermission. Audiences are strongly advised to arrive punctually. - The two performances contain the same content. - DJ Spooky will sign autographs after the performance
DJ Workshop (Sept 24, 2011)
Details: - Basic genre classification of DJ music - Traditional DJ format & Computerised DJ format - (DJ Turntable, DJ CD Player, Serato DJ Software, Traktor DJ Software) - Evolution of Hong Kong DJ music and clubbing in this decade - Music style of International DJ/Producer - Basics of Scratching and Mixing & DJ equipment
Date & Time: 24/09 (Sat) 3:00pm – 5:30pm, 7:00pm – 9:30pm Instructor: DJ Frankie Lam (Best Hong Kong DJ in 2006 chosen by HK Magazine)
Venue: The McAulay Studio, the Hong Kong Arts Centre Tickets: $150
-Conducted in Cantonese -The two workshops contain the same content.
Seminar (Oct 8, 2011)
The Birth/ Rebirth of a Nation: A reflection on American Politics, Society and Film Culture
The Birth of a Nation (1915) marked a milestone in film history with its unprecedented techniques in film narration at thetime of release. It was the first Hollywood blockbuster and sparked numerous controversies about racism and the rise of Ku Klux Klan during and after the American Civil War. This seminar provides an opportunity to reflect on these still prevailing issues in American politics and policy, as well as consumer culture and anti-terrorism.
The seminar looks at the reasons behind the far-reaching influences of The Birth of a Nation on the technique of narration in film history and how the concept of American “rebirth” is expressed aesthetically and politically in DJ Spooky’s audiovisual remix of The Birth of a Nation.
Details: Date & Time: 8/10 (Sat) 3:00pm-5:00pm Venue: agnès b. CINEMA, Hong Kong Arts Centre Speakers: Sam Ho (Programmer of Hong Kong Film Archive) Dr. Simon Shen (Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, The Hong Kong Institute of Education; Chancellor of Roundtable) －Conducted in Cantonese. Free Admission. First come first served.
Master Class and DJ Demonstration (Oct 14, 2011)
DJ Spooky expounds on the concept of Sampling Digital Music of his book Sound Unbound, exploring the role of sound and digital media in our information-based society and discussing the relationship between contemporary art and music composition. He has enriched the history of sound and recorded media by analysing the innovative ideas of Brian Eno, Moby, Steve Reich, Chuck D and other artists and writers. DJ Spooky also looks into the connection between Islamic and Hip Hop cultures in a discussion about how music, visual art and literature can be integrated. By presenting rare sounds and uncovered footage, DJ Spooky will talk about how the expressions of text and art have been developing alongside the advance of multimedia. DJ Spooky will also demonstrate his DJ techniques.
Details: Date & Time: 14/10 (Fri) 7:30pm-9pm
Venue: agnès b. CINEMA, Hong Kong Arts Centre Moderator: Dr. Wong Chi-chung黃志淙 (Music Veteran) Tickets: $40
- Conducted in English with partial Cantonese explanation
