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. 

Digital Musics & Sound Art Anerkennung - Honorary Mention 2003

Foldings

toshimaru nakamura, Taku Sugimoto, Tetuzi Akiyama, Mark Wastell
Recorded live at Tokyo’s Offsite venue in January 2002, cellist-guitarist Mark Wastell, along with no input mixer-player Toshimaru Nakamura , prepared acoustic guitarist Taku Sugimoto and Tetuzi, Akiyama on turntable with air duster performed a collection of minimalist micro-improv compositions which portray a “new reductionist procedure” that requires hyperattentive listening to the barely audible, sparse elements in the sound-conscious activity. The prominent use of less loud material and silence draws an informed analogy to the music and dynamic range of the digital era, as influenced by awareness to pre and post-electronica, live laptop processing , digital sound art and other instrumental groups such as AMM. Foldings succeeds in channeling these influences in a non-electronic context, creating a new sense of aesthetic possibility for chamber group performance and composition. It’s a music constructed of defined contrasts between sound occurrence and sound absence where the smallest gestures speak volumes without a dominant amplitude. As with “still art” there is a solidness of sculpture, architecture and high sonic awareness. The nature of the way this music is performed can result in very still or static musicians – there is very little to actually watch – it’s all about an understated sound language with carefully chosen players and their “digital ears”.

As Morton Feldman said "Now that things are so simple, there's so much to do."
Much of Mark Wastell's (GB) relationship with his chosen instrument is concentrated on the tactile, textural and sonic possibilities of violoncello, bow,. contact mics and prepared amplified electronics. He is increasingly interested in working with extreme elements drawn from frequency, timbre and pitch. Wastell's current instrumental material primarily focuses on using abstract principle; of space, time and texture – encompassing elements of new London silence, pro- acoustic minimalism, new complexity and pan-global reductionism.

Toshimaru Nakamura (J) developed a unique style, playing the "no-input mixing board" after working with guitar.

Taku Sugimoto (J) plays cello and guitar and has gradually shifted from a loud, heavy sound to the extremely quiet sound, full of silences, which he has established through solo and group projects.

Tetuzi Akiyama (J) is a highly unique and experimental guitarist, who also plays electronics, viola, and self-made instruments.