Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, 'Spell Casting'

Filmmaker and editor: Johann Rashid
April 12, 2016
Digital video, TRT 00:23:31
Courtesy of the artist
In conjunction with the exhibition 'Atmosphere for Enjoyment: Harry Bertoia’s Environment for Sound,' MAD commissioned New York-based musicians Lizzi Bougatsos and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe to create sound and video recordings with Sonambient sculptures.
'Atmosphere for Enjoyment' explores Bertoia's sounding or tonal sculptures. Collectively called Sonambient, these are works made of metal rods that make lush, resonant sounds when struck. Beginning in 1968, Bertoia began setting up an eighteenth-century stone barn on his property in Barto, Pennsylvania, to house and record these works, and this is where Bougatsos and Lowe made their recordings.
On April 11, 2016, Lowe performed this piece, "We Echo Now His Love," at the Sonambient Barn. Under the alias Lichens, he creates live, spontaneous compositions often described as otherworldly. Both artists' work, influences, emphases on percussion, ambient music and dedication to improvisation made them compelling performers to relate to and animate the sounding sculptures installed at the barn, an experience reflected here.
Video by Johann Rashid.

[@lestabertoia8846]

These are tonal sculptures in the Sonambient collection, created by Harry Bertoia over the last two decades of his life. Harry also designed furniture and jewelry, made original monoprints, and installed huge sculptures at various locations around the United States. The music that he and his brother recorded in the Sonambient barn in the 1970's has been transferred from the original reel-to-reel tapes to CD's. Check out the Bertoia Foundation and Bertoia Studios for further information.

[@sharksport01]

He painted too, I had one of his early oils. 😏

[@tiessmckenzie]

I was just reading about Harry Bertoia's sculptures in John Grayson's Sound Sculpture book and I knew I recognized them from somewhere, and I tracked down this video again. Your father was an amazing artist and designer! Thanks for curating his works.

[@normalhispanicdude]

I love Bertoia's sculptures. I will visit one day his amazing Sonambient collection. Although I saw that they are for sale now. I hope that the foundation retains enough of them to keep the Sonambient space.

[@catmalogen23]

Ta!

[@crownofeternity1]

Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe is amazing. SO SO glad I live on the same planet as him.

[@TheDrunkMunk]

Incredible. Brings back memories of temples and incense. Another memory of walking down a Japanese street in the evening, light rain, and hearing a ceremony off in the distance. So beautiful

[@bigkingsha]

Native Instruments should be calling this guy TODAY.

[@peterhortonauthor]

king shaman right?!

[@peterirish92]

One of the best things I've seen in quite a while. Thank you Lowe, Bertoia, and MAD.

[@ewanshaw4802]

Wow, I’ve heard the recordings of these sound sculptures before but this is the first time I’ve seen them performed. A crystal garden

[@girlinagale]

Awww, to stop all sounds and just listen to the stopped sounds at the end, so lovely.

[@MathieuBosi]

This is awe inspiring and beautiful, thanks for sharing.

[@gnuPirate]

Amazeballs soundscape. Love this clip

[@renovosloo3372]

This is, for some reason, the most amazing thing ever.

[@oakiron9075]

wow, this... this is just beauty.

[@sharksport01]

Noone can compare to the sounds Bertoia made with his own sculptures.

[@GoldenCardiganCult]

Amazing!

[@TheTruthseekr]

thank you, what an amazing video. i am in awe

[@terisage]

astounding

[@TheMonitor2010]

terrific

[@vonzo55]

Impressive

[@wingsatbay]

mood

[@oakiron9075]

19:40

[@vukbijelac5635]

madness

[@HinterTausendStaben]

:Catharsis:

[@yourmommahouse]

Yoooo

[@Phophrit]

what are those rod instruments called???? Sounds like a thousand grandfather clocks.

[@Phophrit]

oh ok. I've never seen those before. Pretty ingenious

[@mementomatrix]

next time try some Soto Sphere

[@calldwnthesky6495]

it's an ASMR video