ELISION and CIKADA Ensembles
20 and 21 August 2005
Scene 4, Oslo National Academy of the Arts

Richard BARRETT composer
Per Inge BJØRLO sculptures and installation
Christian EGGEN conductor

DARK MATTER is an an installation-performance and international collaboration featuring music by the British composer Richard BARRETT and installations by the Norwegian artist Per Inge BJØRLO. The music is performed by ELISION Ensemble and Norway's Cikada Ensemble with all eighteen musicians under the leadership of Cikada's conductor Christian EGGEN.

From the very start Bjørlo and Barrett have collaborated on this project, which attempts to integrate music, live electronics, performance and visual art. Bjørlo `furnishes' an empty room of approx. 15x30 metres with installation, instruments, objects and powerful lights. He has constructed the musican's chairs, individual installations, and the audience seats. This creates a visual and spatial consistency and a smooth transition between performer and spectator. DARK MATTER premiered in Brisbane in 2001, and opened the Berliner Festspiele?s contemporary music festival Maerzmusik in 2003.

For more information, images and reactions see the the DARK MATTER website

Presented by Ny Musikk with the support of the Australia Council, The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Norwegian Cultural Council, and Norske Skog Follum.