CHAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

'As a respite from the world, it was genuinely awesome.......above the water, distant peacocks and soft green glades – the gently orchestrated piece gave the dreamy setting some hypnotic emotional tinge.' Broadsheet, Jan 2021

 

Following on from the successful collaboration with Soma Lumia that transformed the The Penny Royal’s beloved 'Dark Ride' for MONA FOMA 2020, composers Sooji Kim, Katerina Stathis and Mads Davey turned the iconic Scenic Chairlift into a moving installation for Mona Foma 2021. 

 

Launceston’s jewel, the Gorge Scenic Chairlift was transformed into a 20-voice instrument in this unique audio-experiential installation. Participants became a moving part of a ‘suspended symphony’ in the sky whilst taking in the natural wonders of the gorge setting.  

 

Two speakers were optimally positioned on each of the 20 chairs. Each participant  experienced a sound world that shifted and evolved as the chairs passed each other and their sound fields merged. Reflecting relationships of sounds in nature and the ebb and flow of life cycles, the experience of this work was both a contemplative and mesmerising meditation  and an inspiring ode to nature. 

 

Strategically positioned speakers also allowed for the composition to be experienced by the observer on the ground from various vantage points around the park. The wash of sound from above was punctuated with calls and responses that seemed to echo out from the expanse of The Gorge park itself.  The composition was composed and recorded by Sooji Kim, Katerina Stathis and Mads Davey on the incredibly rare and priceless collection of synths at Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS.)

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LISTEN HERE: https://stathisdaveykim.bandcamp.com/album/chairway-to-heaven