Standing In The Shadows Of MONA 2016

The SITSOM performances are commissioned by David Walsh and MONA each year, to promote the beginning of the Hobart summer Festival, and as a free event for MONA patrons. The concert performance required 6 months of rehearsal, writing/arranging preparation, and employs MONA catering and marketing staff alongside Conservatorium/UTAS production, administrative and music staff. As a single creative 'event', SITSOM is music performance, music composition and arranging, and direction/conducting; it is also a curated exhibition and live broadcast and recording. The impact of this performance is international and significant. It takes the data and research findings (specifically the Legg Taxonomy) and applies this knowledge system (Transculturalisation/Re contextualising) to every aspect of the performance and broadcast. Peer assessment and contribution to the research is effected/conducted in real time through constant and consistent musician, tech crew, production staff and audience feedback, both during the extended rehearsal period and during the performance itself. US producer/Grammy winner Myron Butler engages with the live broadcast, and provides a complete critique of the effectiveness of the compositions, the re-arrangements and his own perception of audience engagement and other indicators of authenticity and effect. The SGC webpage indicates a significant increase in hits during the performance (in excess of 300,000 across the 3 hour festival and performance period), many of which are accompanied by overwhelmingly positive comments, and these responses are recorded/archived. In the broadest of terms, the critical issue in this ongoing research project is focussed on the effective translation of a culturally and spiritually-informed music and its performance practices into a new cultural and ideological context. The technique/s for realising this are continuously informed and shaped by the research and critical reflection, but are evidenced in the performance (performers and audience) itself.