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The Prix Ars Electronica Archive is a collection enabling search and viewing of all the submissions since 1987. The award-winning projects are documented with catalogue texts and audio-visual media. All other submissions can be searched by title/artist and displayed with year, category in list form. Please cite the credits (artwork name, artist and photographer) and only use the materials if your article is related to Ars Electronica.
Through Fire, Crevice and the Hidden Valley
Jim Denley
Original: DM080035 - Track 01.wav | None | 53.2 MB
Original: DM080035 - Track 02.wav | None | 69.7 MB
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Original: Hidden Valley Panorama.jpg | 1636 * 451px | 675.1 KB
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From May 18 until June 1, 2006, I spent 15 days walking and playing saxophone in the Budawang Mountains, a wilderness area in the Morton National Park, South West of Nowra on the east coast of Australia. These mountains are full of dramatic and rugged rock formations—caves, crevices and a hidden valley—it is a wonderland of natural acoustics. Presumably, people have been making playing and singing in these spaces for thousands of years, but it’s almost certain that this is the first time they have heard a saxophone.
Much of the playing was recorded, often on two separate digital devices which were later synched on computer. These recordings are part musical performances and part field recordings.
Much of the playing was recorded, often on two separate digital devices which were later synched on computer. These recordings are part musical performances and part field recordings.
Supported by ABC Radio
Jim Denley (AU) was born in 1957. An emphasis on spontaneity, site-specific work and collaboration has been central to his work. He sees no clear distinctions between his roles as instrumentalist, improviser and composer. In the 1980s he played in the Relative Band with the string player Jon Rose. With groups such as Lines and the Chris Burn Ensemble he performed throughout Europe and North America, recording for BBC Radio 3, Germany’s WDR and producing many CDs. In 1990 he was a member of Derek Bailey’s Company for a week of concerts in London. Since 1989 he has been working with the electro-acoustic text/music group Machine for Making Sense. He has played throughout Australia, Europe, Japan and the US with musicians such as Chris Abrahams, Cläre Cooper, Keith Rowe, Joel Stern, Robbie Avenaim, Jon Rose, John Butcher, Otomo Yoshihide, Fred Frith, Phil Niblock, Trey Spruance, Annick Nozarti, Clayton Thomas, Tess de Quincy, Axel Doerner, Adam Sussman, Ami Yoshida, Oren Ambarchi, Tony Buck, Ingar Zach, Kim Myhr, Martin Klapper, Ikue Mori, Satchiko M and Annett Krebs.