The Centre for the Less Good Idea hosts Sounding Pictures: Live Scores to Short Silent Films

Centre for the Less Good 
Idea

“We are immersed in visual culture. Films and moving images have become such a significant way of seeing and understanding the world around us. So, I’m interested in further exploring what happens when we turn to a dramaturgy of sound.” – Neo Muyanga 

From 31 October to 2 November 2024, The Centre for the Less Good Idea hosts Sounding Pictures: Live Scores to Short Silent Films, the second iteration of its COLLATION project – a short, focussed series of performance-based events around a central theme, method or point of interest – which focuses on the medium of Silent Films. Sounding Pictures: Live Scores to Short Silent Films, asks the question: what happens when we look at a silent film collectively and collaboratively, responding with live, improvisational sound, performance and text, and how does this influence the narrative of the film?   Over three days, a series of contemporary, short silent films (between 3 – 15 minutes) will become the provocation for musicians who, in many instances, will be encountering them for the first time, in front of a live audience.

Photograph by Zivanai Matangi

A performance programme in three parts, films will be projected and performances will take place in The Centre space, the Atrium, and in the Pepper’s Ghost mechanism, allowing performers to engage with and respond to the films in different ways. 

Sounding Pictures features short films by William Kentridge, Milisuthando Bongela-Davis, Penny Siopis, Thania Petersen, Msaki, Victor Gama, Diek Grobler, Naomi van Niekerk, Noah Cohen, Dana Walrath and Dylan Valley

Musicians and performers include Billy Langa, DAPHNE, Micca Manganye, Arnaud van Vliet, Shane Cooper, Reggie Teys, Aragorn Eloff, Bongiwe Lusizi, Pertunia Msani, Daniel Stompie Selibe, Tebogo ‘AusTebza’ Sedumedi and Mareli Stolp

In addition to the live performances, Sounding Pictures will also feature a HOW | Showing the Making led by Neo Muyanga, and a conversation between Bronwyn Lace and Joni Brenner to mark the new collection of Marigold beads in collaboration with The Centre.   

Photograph by Zivanai Matangi

Dates | 31 October – 2 November 2024
Venue | The Centre For The Less Good Idea, Arts On Main, 264 Fox Street, Maboneng
Bookings & full programme | https://lessgoodidea.com/bookings

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