If a French surrealist named Robert Filiou is to be believed, the whole idea of art is more than a
million years old. That what when a sponge was dropped into a pail of water and the concept of
creativity and expression was born, giving humans at the time preoccupied with hunkering
down in caves and dodging predators something else to do.
But the notion, coined in 1962, stuck with the more absurd set of artists and Art’s Birthday was
born. Since then, it’s annually celebrated on Jan. 17 (Filiou’s birthday), with live entertainment
taking place in more than 20 countries, with extensive support from public radio dedicating
airtime to the event.
Edmontonians are
playing their part
in this global
extravaganza with
a live concert
Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Ortona Arts Armoury (9722-102 Street).
Art’s Birthday returns to Edmonton
Dubbed Art’s
and starting at 7:30
p.m. with a gate
charge of $10, more than 20 acts will take part in a night of music, experimental video and visual art. The Boreal Electroacoustic Music Society is hosting the all-ages event, with board member Chris Samson curating the evening.
“The criteria for choosing acts for this year’s Art’s Birthday started with the theme of Diversity,”
said Samson. “Since BEAMS is more oriented towards experimental and electroacoustic music,
we always focus on those genres of artwork.”
True to form, Samson has put together a list of performers in line with that BEAMS mandate.
Performers like Shawn Pinchbeck and Raylene Campbell have taken experimentation to the
next level and have been recognized worldwide for their work. Sonic software practitioner
Abram Hindle, who’s played at several festivals across the continent will facilitate a Ninjam
experimental session that will have performers outside the city play online for an impromptu
melding of sound.
IVI
Shawn Pinchbeck