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Acclaimed new media music and creative director GayBird will perform with singer-songwriter UA from Japan for a concert in June titled "CouCou on Mars", part of the Boundless Multimedia Series.
Riding on his previous project "Digital Hug", GayBird takes forward his concept of "new instruments for new music". In addition to exploring interface design and programming for new musical instruments, GayBird will also re-construct and revitalise century-old futuristic instruments to present his brand of contemporary music.
For this concert he will team up with a few local new media artists including Justin Wong, Henry Chu, Thomas Ip, Invisible Lab, Joseph Chan, Adrian Yeung and Wong Chun-hoi. Together they aim to give the audience a new dimension of visual music experience through interfacing and sensor technology, real-time triggers of sound, lights, mechatronics, stage installation and video visuals. In the context of the concert, CouCou represents daily life while the future is represented by Mars. Since Earth has all kinds of problems, scientists have begun exploring Mars as an alternative planet. It is not just about looking forward - by also looking backwards that we gain insight into our future.
GayBird, whose real name is Leung Kei-cheuk, studied at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in music composition and electro-acoustic music. He is actively involved in Hong Kong's pop music industry and is also a core member of the Hong Kong music company People Mountain People Sea (PMPS). In recent years, he has explored new media art and undertaken research in human control interface design and the interactivity of live music performance using media technology. His earlier project Digital Hug received wide critical acclaim and earned him numerous awards. The production has travelled to Macau, Sao Paulo, Taipei, Kaohsiung and Paris.
UA, otherwise known as Kaori Hasegawa, is a singer-songwriter from Japan and her popular songs include "Passion", "Sad Johny" and "Milk Tea". In 2005, UA participated in the experimental media art music project "path". In addition to live music, UA has performed in movies including "Woman of Water" and "Dainipponjin". In 2010, she released her first live recording album "Haruto Live" and her 15th anniversary album "Kaba". In 2005, UA moved away from the city to live a more rural life, actively engaging in activities for environmental protection and world peace.
"CouCou on Mars" is one of the programmes of the "Boundless Multimedia Series" presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be performed at 8pm on June 14 and 15 (Friday and Saturday) and at 4pm on June 16 (Sunday) at the Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $220 and $180 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.) Please refer to programme leaflets for details of the group booking discount up to 20 per cent.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7323 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/multi_arts/program_264.html. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Series discount of 10 per cent is available for any purchase of standard tickets for "CouCou on Mars" and Peter Suart's "Melencolia" from the United Kingdom (July 12, 13 at the Shouson Theatre, Hong Kong Arts Centre). Please refer to programme leaflets for more information.
Ends/Friday, May 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:36
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