c i r c e : the black cut ~ analysis

  c  i  r  c  e 
: the black cut :

by anna stereopoulou
decoding · a · sonic · glance

to seek and decode : to see in the dark : to join the fire
to listen

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Analysis of the Theme(s) inspiring and motivating the project and its participants. Updates and steps mentioned apply to 2014 – 2015 period. A new update will follow.

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2014; a year when a worldwide need for change is causing a natural urge for setting new codes, via reshaping the past. The future is happening now and it’s calling us out. Can we see its sound?

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New International Open Call 2015:
CIRCE_TheBlackCut_InternationalOpenCall_2015NewDeadline_ENG

The theme-based project circe : the black cut : is the result of an ongoing research by the composer Anna Stereopoulou. Her projects «…oneirograph…v.5.spindle» (2009-2010) and «electron» (2011) are inspired by the subjects of Dreams [science (i.e. brain-waves, dream-state, etc.) / philosophy (ancient Asclepeions)] and the structure and function of the Human Ear & the Balance of Body, respectively. These are artistically expressed by elements such as the structure of each project (various non-stop sections), the composition and performance of special types of sound waves (white noise, binaural beats, etc.) and the Lighting and Set Design. Both projects carry components of various past theme-based events organised by the composer, all inspired by Science, Mythology, History, Architecture or Philosophy. Consequently, in 2012, Anna started connecting many of these ingredients, out of the need to set new questions and seek answers about personal and social matters. The graphic score of Cornelius Cardew’s composition Treatise, and the freedom of interpretation it gives to the performer to encode and decode each semio, gave Anna the urge to look for the perfect ‘map’ on which she would build her inner idea. The spark shone when she was informed about the new results (November 2012) of the ‘reading’ of the Phaistos Disk, discovered in 1908 at the Minoan palace of Phaistos (island of Crete, Greece).

: the Research...
After contacting Dr. Gareth Owens (Linguist / Erasmus Co-ordinator, TEI of CRETE, HELLAS / EU ERASMUS+ AMBASSADOR 2014-2020 | TEI DAIDALIKA: http://www.teicrete.gr/daidalika/), -who is co-ordinating the ‘reading’ of the enigma hidden in the Phaistos Disk- a collaboration started between the researcher and the composer, giving the opportunity to the latter to develop her thought and complete the structure of her project.

The Phaistos Disk -made of fired clay, circa 2nd millennium BC- is a labyrinthine inscription with a ‘Cretan hieroglyphic’ script and it is covered on both sides with a spiral of stamped symbols. One of those is the one on the shape of which the project is based and represents a shield, consisting of 6 dots shaping a circle, while a 7th dot is placed in its centre [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Phaistos_glyph_12.svg]. One of the theories of the Disk’s riddle is a Hymn dedicated to Mother Earth, as worshiped in the ancient Minoan cult, while the holy animal of the Cretans has always been the Taurus (Bull). According to various researches, the Phaistos Disk’s relation to the Labyrinth (built in the Minoan Palace at Knossos, near Phaistos, and the place where Minotaur, the mythical creature was held) is a strong one. This is the place where king Theseus entered and managed to kill Minotaur, with the help of Ariadne (daughter of Minos), also called Potnia of the Labyrinth (Mistress of the Labyrinth), as found on an inscription from Knossos.
Mother Earth has always been worshiped worldwide, while some of her names have also been Gaea (Earth), Potnia, Hestia, Ariadne, Persephone, Athena, Circe, Arianrhod and many other. The symbolism found in the myth of ‘Minotaur – Labyrinth’ represents the entry to our soul, where we are called to ‘kill our own beast’ (psychological aspect / ego / inwards), as well as the quest to discover truth and reveal knowledge (social aspect / we / outwards) after the exit from the Labyrinth. Both ‘forces’ (internal – external), are equal to the bond of the duality of goddess Hestia and god Hermes (Mercury). After the end of the Minoan civilization, the worship of the dyad Hestia and Hermes was spread and became stronger, no matter the fact that many ancient Greek kingdoms kept the hierarchical structure of society. The seed was already planted and started giving life to a new mentality and the new symbolism of the space; i.e. the passage from the concept of the Pyramid (values and privileges set to the ‘top’), to the concept of the Circle (reversible relations, founded on the balance and reciprocity among equals).

The eternal -hidden?- need of constructing the ideal society, alongside the seeking of Truth, the revealing of Knowledge and the sharing of Information, have always been some of the greatest human needs. The dyad of Hestia and Hermes represents the Centre (Inwards: Home, Fire, Family, Mother, Womb, Nature, Organisation, etc.) and the Movement (Outwards: Communication, Passage, Transition, Change, Re-Birth, etc.), respectively, while, at the same time, they form the basic map of Sharing and Networking.

2014-2015; the transition towards a new state requiring a passage through darkness, where we are called to see with ‘different’ eyes and distinguish our voice, out of the chaotic urban noisy fields; a redefinition of our era’s cutting edge; a rediscovery of our senses.
Darkness and lack of information is also symbolised by aeaea, the mythical island of Circe. ‘Who’ is Circe and what does she represent? Does she offer illusion or clarity; or both? Circe carries both qualities and she is the female Potnia through whose spells we must find our exit from our personal and social Labyrinth. Sound is Ariadne’s helping thread; it is the map of (Mother) Earth, revealing the structure and function of our society.

: the Title…
…consisting of:
the main word circe, showcasing the character’s ambient / psycho-acoustic aspect with the allusion of the circ-l-e (Centre, Circle, Core -volcano / atom-, Heart) and its etymology Caduceus (Gk; kerykeion / Hermes, Asclepius), defining the medical and therapeutic aspect.
the subtitle the black cut is mainly inspired by the painting The Black Square (1915, Kazimir Malevich), the symbol of Suprematism, and the turning point in the development of Russian avant-garde.
The word black derives from the Ancient Greek phlegein (to burn, to scorch) and the Latin flagrare (to blaze, to glow, to burn). Thus, the shine within darkness, similar to the lava of a volcano, erupting from the schism (cut) of the Earth, showing the force coming from within us.
Also, the burned film (cut) / (the lack of ‘real’ image), expressing the urge to energise our senses and see with our ears; to listen carefully.

: the Music…
…composed and performed by Anna Stereopoulou, is inspired by many elements found in the specific research, combined with a sonic representation of the structure of the Human Ear (i.e. Cochlea, Labyrinth), various neurological functions and psychological issues’ symptoms, geological and social events and many more.
A blend of electro-acoustic music (acoustic piano, tape and live electronics), jazz, psychedelia and ambient.
: the Setting and the Sound…
[A special sound and stage setting is being designed. More details can be discussed.]

: the Presentation series…

• Official Announcement: Monday, March 31st 2014 [Athens, GR / Worldwide]
• 1st Short Sonic Taste: April 25th 2014 @ FUZZ Club Athens, GR [Support Act at the CHAOSTAR band]
• Premiere: May 17th 2014 @ PIANO CITY [Milano, IT]
• 1st Presentation: December 15 – 21, 2014 [Athens, GR / Worldwide]
• More presentations will be announced [Greece – Abroad / 2015]

: the Supporters…
…Encouraging Anna Stereopoulou’s research and event series are:

• female:pressure (Worldwide)
• 7MNS Music (Spain)
• Different Music (Italy)
• (He)art of the Event (Italy)
• Association Concept Artgentin (France – Argentina)
• Glorious Peleys (Greece)

*Special thanks to Dr. Gareth Owens* for his interest and precious guidance.
*Linguist / Erasmus Co-ordinator,
TEI of CRETE, HELLAS / EU ERASMUS+ AMBASSADOR 2014-2020
TEI DAIDALIKA: http://www.teicrete.gr/daidalika/
Technological Educational Institute of Crete | “Daidalika”

More information about the supporters and the nature of the collaboration can be found at the following link: http://wp.me/p2zRWp-dC

   c   i   r   c   e  
: the black cut :
©Copyright, Anna Stereopoulou, 2014~2015~
A STEREOSCOPIC perspective of Music & Art©
www.annastereopoulou.gr

anna stereopoulou
c o m p o s e r

Anna Stereopoulou has achieved to combine her music with modern art movements and world cultures, as well as with other Arts and Sciences and has developed a genre she likes describing as «sonic moving images». She specialises in the field of Music Composition for Film & TV, but has also taken on the task of organising and overseeing Audio-Visual /Multi-Media concerts, inspired by researching various subjects. Her multinational collaborations comprise of the Royal Marines Orchestra (Portsmouth, UK), Megaron Athens Concert Hall, Sun-Yat-Sen University (Taiwan), Royal Academy of Dance (London), Aenaon Dance-Theatre, Off_Herzios Festival 2014 (Valencia, Spain), Bundes Film Festival (Berlin, Bronze Medal), Radio Nacional de España (Fluido Rosa), BBC «Homegrown Hollywood», London National Film Theatre, «Yakumo Koizumi» Museum (Matsue-Japan) and Portello River Festival & River Film Festival (Padova, Italy), at which she has also been working as Music Consultant / Programming, respectively, whilst since 2012 she has occasionally been in the team of «Association Concept Artgentin» (France – Argentina), co-founded by VJ Mushroom /Gabriel Otero [3×3 SMIL (2013), Parachute Light Zéro ACT II (March 2015) and Project 92 /Paris]. Recent projects of hers include the ongoing collaboration with the fine artist Vassiliki Theodorakidi and the EREMUS solo dance performance /Indigo Fera Art productions (2013-2014)], participating with Original Compositions & Live Electronics. Her most recent activity in the film scoring include the narrative /short «Butterfly», directed by Yianna Dellatolla (Greece, 2014) and the feature film «A Place Called Home» [alternate title: «The Tree & The Swing», directed by Maria Douza, released in February 6, 2014 (Greece). The film has participated in many festivals worldwide and won several awards, including Best Original Score award in the 9th Cyprus International Film Festival (September 2014). After the release of her debut album «Dance With Me» in 2008, Anna’s project «…oneirograph…v.5.spindle : live in italy» was released in March 2013 and followed by the ‘bridge’ album, titled «A ∞» [aleph / infinity]. The latter is available on the Spanish 7MNS Music platform -co-founded by the artist Erissoma (David Mata)- which has been one of the main supporters -alongside female:pressure– of her current project /research « c i r c e :the black cut: ». The work’s 2nd Presentation took place in Athens (Greece) and Worldwide [«VOX» (CIRCE Family Album) – Exhibition – Screenings + Concert / December 19-22, 2015] continuing its course during 2016 with concerts, seminars and collaborations with its participants -coming all from 33 countries to date- and other artistic commissions, as well as Anna’s new album release « c i r c e :the black cut: » (May 30th, 2015), just after the collaborative album «Spirits» with Chris Silver T [Plus Timbre (PT010)].

A STEREOSCOPIC perspective of Music & Art©

Official WebSite: annastereopoulou.gr
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Tags: annastereo, chaostar, circe, cornelius cardew, gareth owens, kazimir malevich, mother earth, oneirograph, phaistos disk, piano city milano, tei of crete daidalika