The Ecotone Research Network out of Bath Spa University traveled to Timber Festival in Leicester for a series of performance and workshops over the three days of the festival. Here are some highlights form the work with HAKOTO.
A very brief introduction to HAKOTO. This edit integrates some
images and a few brief video’s shot by Betsy Middleton, a post-graduate
student in Science, Technology and Society at the Technical University of
Munich. The final clip is from Sara Lawful, Chair of the Forest School Association. Both are involved with the Ecotones Research Network.
Betsy, wrote up some initial thoughts about the work:
“The HAKOTO experience, which intentionally complicates boundaries
between science, music and performance, was different at each sitting,
inviting listeners to reflect on the animation of the tree subjects and the
delicate changing conditions of, and connections between, the environment,
the trees, the performer and the audience. ”
There is also a terrific sound file that you can listen to – which has the whole 30m performance from Sunday. It starts with an Oak tree in shade – then an Oak tree in light. Then a willow tree, compared to the sound of the oak tree. Followed by a HAKOTO solo with a Hawthorne, until five minutes in Stevie Wishart [steviewishartmusic.com) joins in with her Hurdy Gurdy and Amanda Bayley (http://amandabayley.co.uk) with here Viola. Such a weekend, the experimentation with colleagues was inspiring, the tension between the data driven HAKOTO programme and the virtuoso musicians with perfect pitch, improvising with the sound of the breath of the tree was incredible to witness – please have a listen.