pre-early fringe
With pre-early fringe, sh|ft ensemble is developing a performance concept that addresses the mass spread of the livestream format during the pandemic and subjects it to critical reflection.
As a guest of Musik der Jahrhunderte at the Theaterhaus Stuttgart, new interpretations of works by various composers of contemporary music were performed on 17.12.2021. Work recontextualizations were sought to translate core compositional ideas into video formats and enable a view between levels of production and reception. A non-exhaustive list of reference works: Gerhard Stäbler - hyacinth, Steve Reich - Pendulum Music, and Amund Sjølie Sveen - Deconstructing Ikea.
The structural change towards more online presence in contemporary music has inevitably accelerated due to the loss of audiences during the pandemic. The concert as a main event is in question. Social media as an important medium demands a stronger incorporation of visual elements in contemporary music. The marketing logic of social platforms creates increasing production pressure and increased broadcasting frequency. On the one hand, sh|ft wants to thematize how this change is dealt with, the unparalleled stream flood at the beginning of the pandemic, the pressure of visibility, the omnipresence of the new format. On the other hand, sh|ft wants to question the aesthetics of many streams that use video as simple documentation of the work shown.
With music videos that are simultaneously produced, transmitted and consumed, a critical contribution to the topic is to be created that explores the great potential, but also the limits of the format, and forced the ensemble to develop new design practices.
