(idm) Re: define "minimalism"

From R. Lim
Sent Thu, Aug 5th 1999, 13:41

On Wed, 4 Aug 1999 xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx wrote:

> doesnt make audio minimal, i think minimalism as a philosophy is 
> multifaceted especially in audio.  can be applied to the most dense 
> shriving of activity to the thinnest microwave warble to the actual 
> construction/equipment used in the process of composition(which 
> is something ive been keen on the past bit)

Speaking of which, a guy called Atsushi Tominga made a 7" out of
microwaving a pair of contact mics (as in, putting them in a microwave).
It's mostly electrical hum, interrupted by blasts of static. I admit it
would sound pretty stupid on the radio, but the entire package (cover is a
paste-on photo print of the mics dangling above the rotating glass
platter) is a perfectly balanced, museum-grade aesthetic experience. No
surprise that it should be released in association with the Japanese label
WrK, whose distinctive conceptual imprimature it bears.

Also recently digging _Musiche Sole_, a compilation LP of electronic works
from Roberto Barbanti, Letizia Bolgnesi and Luca Miti.  I've never heard
of any of these people before, but their work is extremely chilled-out
electronic drones that would be taggable as "conservatory-esque" if it
showed signs of rigor.  On the other hand, the works date from 1980-1990
so maybe those institutions are opening up a little.  In short: WDR on
'ludes.  Look for it in the forthcoming "The roots of Windham Hill" series
as installation #15 (1-14 being occupied by Popol Vuh records).

Receiving the Apollo House award for sounding Apolloesque (or is it
Apollonian?): the Reznicek contribution to their split LP with Klangkrieg.

 -rob