Geometry of Now

An investigation of sound through site-specific interventions in the location of the former GES-2 power station with RP Boo, Lee “Scratch” Perry and other sound pioneers from all over the world.

More than 40 artists and musicians from various countries transform the historical GES-2 power station into a venue for sound experiments. Pioneers of house music, techno and experimental sound art have been inspired by now-vacant industrial sites. Geometry of Now develops this tradition: it has become a major platform for artists and musicians reclaiming the territory of the GES-2 and rediscovering its industrial past. Moreover, this project represents a turning point in the history of the power station, soon to become the major public venue for the V–A–C Foundation in Moscow.

Among the main events of the week are the concert by the dub icon Lee "Scratch" Perry and sets by the Detroit-techno legend Anthony Shakir and Finnish musician Ripatti. Charles Curtis, Carol Robinson and Bruno Martinez present the Russian premiere of the musical trio Naldjorlak, who perform music of Eliane Radigue, one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. The programme opens with the joint concert of the American guitarist and member of the Sunn O))) band Stephen O’ Malley and Russian musician Aleksey Tegin, widely known for his interpretations of Tibetan ritual music.

Geometry of Now includes a series of installations dedicated to the phenomenological study of space and its acoustic potential. The day's programme includes talks and workshops dedicated to sound art, as well as performances that reinterpret the architectural space of the century-old building. It is complemented by the two-part programme of performances: an early evening concert and a series of night DJ sets and performances. Throughout the week, the public can watch the works of artists such as Richard Sides, Crys Cole and Hannah Sawtell. The British artist James Richards, a participant at the 57th Venice Biennale, together with his percussionist and vocalist co-author, presents a new multi-channel audio installation enhanced by static projections on the top floor of GES-2. Florian Hecker’s performance The Faun takes place in one of the engine rooms: this synthetic sound work, whose libretto was written by Robin McKay, transforms the surrounding space into a kind of opera hall. In the basement of GES-2, Russian artist and musician Gleb Glonti creates his sound environment.

The daytime lecture programme features leading artists and sound theorists, including composer Eduard Artemyev, known for his music scores for Andrei Tarkovsky's films. Those were created on an ANS synthesizer, so films and sound works by Luke Fowler and Richard McMaster dedicated to that instrument are also presented in the programme.