Workshop: Abstract Turntablism with Maria Chávez
Published
What happens when the turntable stops being a playback device and becomes an instrument in its own right? During EKKO Festival, EKKO and BEK invite you to a hands-on workshop in Abstract Turntablism with New York-based sound artist and DJ Maria Chávez.
Thursday 29 October, 15:00–17:00
Østre, Oram (1st floor)
Fully booked
For more than two decades, Chávez has developed her own unique approach to the turntable. Rather than attempting to control the vinyl record perfectly, she works with chance, errors, damaged records and the mechanical properties of the turntable as artistic material. Scratches, skips, fragments and unexpected movements become starting points for improvisation and new sounds.
During the two-hour workshop, participants will work with turntables and vinyl as instruments themselves. Chávez will introduce three basic techniques from her practice of Abstract Turntablism, before participants get to experiment at their own turntable stations. Along the way, we will also do something we are usually told to avoid: destroy a record. The fragments will then be used as new material on the turntable.
The workshop is based on the methods Chávez describes in her book Of Technique: Chance Procedures on Turntable, which all participants will receive as a PDF. Chance is central to her approach: not as something to be corrected, but as an active part of the creative process.
You do not need to be a DJ or have previous experience with turntables to take part. The workshop is suitable for musicians, sound artists, DJs and anyone curious about improvisation, sound and experimental ways of working with technology.
Maria Chávez
Maria Chávez was born in Lima, Peru, and is based in New York. She works at the intersection of improvisation, contemporary art and experimental electronic music, and is particularly known for her practice as an abstract turntablist. Chance, errors and accidents recur throughout her work with sound, installation, DJing and visual art.
Her book Of Technique: Chance Procedures on Turntable describes techniques and ideas from her work with the turntable and has become a key document of her distinctive approach to the instrument.
ACCESSIBILITY
Entrance: Step-free access from street level to the first floor. The second floor can be reached via stairs or an internal lift (110 × 110 cm). Staff assistance is required to use the lift.
Toilets: Gender-neutral toilets and an accessible toilet are available on the first floor. The accessible toilet has a 90 cm-wide doorway, with an 80 cm-wide passage leading to the toilet.
Transport: Byparken and the bus stops at Torget, Festplassen and Olav Kyrres gate are approximately 300 metres away.
Parking: There is no dedicated parking. Drop-off and pick-up by car or taxi is possible in front of or behind Østre.
Companions: Companion cards are accepted. Please contact post@oestre.no.
Image: EKKO