Ars Electronica Archive
Prix
Prix Map
Pictures
Videos
Publications
Special Projects
Women in Media Art
Prix
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.
Soldier of Midian
Raz Mesinai
Completed late August of 2001 as the fourth Badawi album, „Soldier of Midian“ was titled after a sacred warrior who could never be owned by man. The majority of the record was inspired by the following excerpt:
... And they said to him, come join us and fight for our God. I cannot, he replied, for it is you who wants me to fight, not our God. He lowered his sword and they raised theirs. If not for your God then for your people. How can I? He replied, for they have not told me to fight, only you have. They became angry but did not strike. If you do not join us then you will join the fate of our enemies. The winds grew stronger and he replied, How can I join your army when all I have is your word? I cannot worship the man, only the life of the man, If there is to be war let the horses decide who will be victorious. And even after a path has been paved, even then ...I will only follow the storm.
The recording is composed mostly in 3/4 and consists mainly of percussion and flute which are played by Raz as well as bass played by Shahzad Ismaily, and a dulcimer played by Carolyn HoneyChild Coleman. The instruments were then sampled, reconstructed, and remixed electronically.
Raz Mesinai (USA). As a percussionist, composer, improviser and producer, Raz Mesinai has been on the forefront of the New York underground music scene since 1992. Mesinai is well known for his recordings with Sub Dub, and for his Badawi identity, as well as several works under his own name including „The Unspeakable“, (BSI) and „Before the Law“ (Tzadik) inspired by the stories of Franz Kafka.