Written specifically for a one-off performance at the Torrance Art Museum, Presence is the latest offering from renowned sound, video and installation artist Yann Novak. Using digitally enhanced recordings made on a mobile phone, Novak explores an ever shifting soundscape between the uneasy and resolution, drifting from cold atonality to warmer, tonal territory over the course of the piece.

We are greeted by glistening static and an overpowering drone, like thousands of minute electronic insects flittering through a barren wasteland. Rumbling low frequencies come and go as the insistent tone continues, acting like a cold wind blowing through this desolate landscape. The insect-like shards of sound gradually become more fragmented as the drone dies away, leading to a sparser passage. The high frequencies are greatly contrasted by the continuation of the low pitch rumble, accentuating the lack of any middle ground and unsettling the listener.

Following a brief respite from the intensity of the constant tone, we are once again plunged into a static space, this time the harmony providing a slightly warmer tone. Through barely perceptible changes, the low frequencies gradually become softer without losing their intensity, and the previously abrasive texture shifts into a far more hospitable space, enveloping the listener in immersive tones. The contrast also becomes less obvious here, with more mid-frequency tones to balance out the previously opposing harmonies, adding to a sense of approaching resolve.

As the warm tones slowly disperse, so we see the return of the some of the previous harsh sounds. Somehow though these have been softened, fragmented, and do not prickle the atmosphere as before. The bass rumble continues to come and go, ever present throughout the many stages of the piece, the surrounding texture changing its role from that of a cold, unforgiving wind to a reassuring accompaniment.

All in all a beautiful study of the space between uneasiness and resolution, taking the listener on a seamless journey over the course of the piece. Through highly attuned gradual changes, Novak expertly shifts the soundscape from one state to the next. Recommended!

- Katie English for Fluid Radio

Available through Stashed Goods and Hibernate Recordings

www.hibernate-recs.co.uk
www.yannnovak.com

Relocation.Reconstruction is derived from the sound elements of the three installations in Yann Novak’s solo exhibition Relocation at Lawrimore Project (May 2009). In the original exhibition, Novak explored the multitude of emotional states experienced during and after the relocation of one’s life…

With this latest work, Novak continues his exploration into this theme a year after the initial event that inspired him, with the new insight that although he has arrived at his destination, the relocation process is far from over. By utilizing the altered sounds of the previous works as a point of departure, Relocation.Reconstruction retains some of the moods and themes of its predecessors, but reconstructs them into a slowly evolving, immersive composition. Textures, tones and faint melodies drift in and out of audible perception, never standing still, always in a state of becoming and disintegration. Through the development of this static, yet dynamic state, a familiar sense of melancholy arises from these simultaneous experiences of discovery and loss. – Line

Available via Line

www.12k.com/line/
www.yannnovak.com

For all fans (and I am sure there are many) of the hugely successful Dragon’s Eye Recordings label and the impressive sound art installations created by the label’s front man Yann Novak will be intrigued to know of the upcoming events this August hosted by the exceptional SoundFjord outfit…

Stillness Exhibition

Stillness.Subtropical
August 4 – 28, 2010
Stillness.Oceanic
September 1 – 25, 2010

Opening Reception
August 3, 2010 7-9PM

SoundFjord are delighted to present the work of Yann Novak, who will inaugurate the exhibition programme with his delicately observed and absorbing, autobiographical work. Stillness, is a two-part immersive sound installation with integral visual elements…

Complimentary to the exhibition will be a talk and question and answers session with the artist. We are also happy to announce that Yann will be available for conversation at the private view.

Stillness takes its inspiration from the two climates Yann Novak has inhabited: Subtropical in Los Angeles and Oceanic in Seattle. In these works he investigates these climates’ almost static meteorological states and their emotional effect on their inhabitants.

Stillness takes form as two sound and video works presented as a large scale projection and 4.1 surround sound creating an immersive experience, each changing so slowly the effect is imperceptible to the audience, thus creating a nearly static state.

To create the sound piece, Novak made recordings of shortwave radio signal tuned to static in each location. Because radio waves are affected by both water vapour in the troposphere and ionisation in the upper atmosphere due to the sun, each recording, though similar, contains an unique signature from the atmosphere the waves travelled through. Similarly, the video elements are made up of numerous photographs, taken always pointed at the horizon, over a span of months in the case of Subtropical and years in Oceanic. These photographs capture a more literal portrait of these climates. All these elements are then digitally altered to create an ambiguous abstraction, leaving enough of the source to guide the experience and define the location, but abstract enough to create an immersive environment perfect for contemplation and personal reflection.

SoundFjord
Sonic Art Gallery and Research Unit
Unit 3B – Studio 28
28 Lawrence Road
London
N15 4ER
UK

More Info:
www.soundfjord.org.uk

…………………………………………..

Immersound Performances

SoundFjord.Dynamic presents immersound
August 6, 2010
7PM doors | 8PM start – 2am
£5 adv | £7 door

SoundFjord.Dynamic – the live component of SoundFjord | London, is about to stage its first show, immersound, an evening of momentous sonic environments, absorbing, contemplative sound sculpture and sublime immersive sound art. Contribute to sonic art history: be there!

Performers:

Robert Curgenven
i8u
Yann Novak
Ian Hawgood
FOURM
mimosa|moize

The Others
6-8 Manor Road
London
N16 5SA
UK

Tickets:
www.wegottickets.com/event/85321

More Info:
www.theothers.uk.com
www.soundfjord.org.uk

www.yannnovak.com
www.dragonseyerecordings.com

Live at Unit 3.03 is a sequence of sound sketches that were spectrally deconstructed and reconstructed live, with intentions of engaging the listener with the space.

Each sound used was mono allowing any stereo effect of movement perceived to be those created from the influence of the space itself.

The nature of performing at Unit 3.03 is generally one of a more domestic gathering than that of a public event. This shared domestic-come-temporary-social situation creates an interesting interaction with the sounds to be heard coming from within and beyond this personal and intimate space. Interestingly, this situation also directs ours attention inwardly to the sounds that we carry with us and outwardly to the ones that people carry with them.

This recording was taken during our very first live performance held at Unit 3.03, where we shared tea, coffee and cake, met old friends and new ones, and shared old stories and made new memories.

Recorded on the afternoon of March 20th, 2010, at Unit 3.03, London, UK.

Thanks to Dead Wood and Jonny Hill who also performed that day and to everyone who visited our home on that memorable afternoon.

Also, special thank you to Kimvi Nguyen for providing the artwork, a gift on that day.- Yann

Download here

www.dragonseyerecordings.com

Yann Novak - For Headphones by Fluid Radio on Mixcloud

This mix is inspired by my experiences during the fall and winter months living in Los Angeles. Although my studio looks out on a busy alley from which I hear huge shipments of Nelson lamps and Eames chairs being delivered to a modern furniture warehouse, the weather is too beautiful to close the windows or doors. So I leave the windows and doors open and let the sun poor in, retreating to headphones to listen to the delicate sounds I love so much…

The past few months, my weeks were punctuated by trips to Pasadena to teach a studio class on sound art at an art school.  During the class I was constantly looking back to find the absolute best examples of ideas, concepts and techniques in my collection and constantly getting exposed to works all over again. for Headphones represents the meeting place of these experiences. – Yann

Track List:

1. Shinkei – Binaural Frequency from Binaural Frequency (Koyuki) at 00:00
2. Luigi Turra – Meditation Space from Meditation Space (White_Line Editions) at 08:30
3. Richard Chartier – A Field for Recordings 2 from Extract: Portraits of Sound Artists (Non Visual Objects) at 17:38
4. Steve Roden – Undulant Spores from Lamp (Within/Without the Skin) (Interior Sounds) at 25:20
5. Yann Novak – Time Forgot (Original Version) (Unreleased) at 32:32
6. FOURM – Site from Area (White_Line Editions) at 43:52
7. Bernhard Günter – Elliptical Entropy from Écriture Automatique (Trente Oiseaux) at 50:40

About Yann:

Yann Novak (b. 1979 Madison, WI) is a sound artist, composer and designer based in Los Angeles. His compositions have been published by Dragon’s Eye Recordings (US), Dulcett Records (US), The Henry Art Gallery (US), Infrequency (CA), Mandorla (MX), smlEditions (US) and White_Line Editions (UK). His work utilizes different forms of digital documentation as a point of departure. Through the digital manipulation of these sound and image files, his works serve as a translation from documents of personal experiences into new compositions fueled by the original experience.

Novak’s installations and performances have been presented internationally at prestigious events and venues including American Academy in Rome (Rome, Italy), Blim (Vancouver, BC), Decibel Festival (WA), Ersta Konsthall (Stokholm, Sweden), Fiske Planitarium (CO), Henry Art Gallery (WA), Hit Art Space (Gothenburg, Sweden), Kasini House (VT), Las Cienegas Project (CA), Lawrimore Project (WA), Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (CA), Mutek Festival (Montreal, QB), San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (CA), Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (WA), Soundwalk (CA), Suyama Space (WA), TBA Festival (OR) and Western Bridge (WA).

As a result of these endeavors, Novak had been invited to numerous Residencies including Environmental Aesthetics Residency (WA), Espy Foundation Residency (WA), and Kasini House Studio A Residency (VT).

In 2005, Novak re-launched his father’s Dragon’s Eye Recordings imprint with a new focus on limited edition releases by emerging and mid-carrier sound artists, composers and producers. Since its re-launch, Dragon’s Eye Recordings has published over 25 releases and has received critical acclaim. In 2009, Infrequency Editions, curated by Jamie Drouin, was integrated into Dragon’s Eye’s operations and distribution.

In recent years Novak has collaborated through select installation, performance and recorded work with Gretchen Bennett, Brittle Stars, Crispin Spaeth Dance Group, Robert Crouch, Jamie Drouin, Will Long, Marc Manning, Brian Murphy, Alex Schweder and Tiny Vipers.

www.yannnovak.com
www.dragonseyerecordings.com