Virtual Residency at the Berkeley Art Museum / Pacific Film Archive

Thingamajigs Performance Group (TPG) will be in residence at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive with a series of online performances and discussions covering a wide range of topics relevant to living in our current pandemic. Highlights of the residency include a 14-hour live stream of Sound of Wave in Channel, TPG’s collaborative work with Bay Area poet Stephen Racliffe. Also featured will be Korea’s Ensemble PHASE performing excerpts from a new work by composer and TPG member Edward Schocker. Examining our “sense of self”, Self_less’ mission is to bring awareness of the connections among brain, body, mind, and self.

All events in this residency will be presented with diverse artists' expressions that will explore personal journeys and social impact both in the past and present. These events will be hosted online at https://bampfa.org/program/virtual/online-events. 

“BAMPFA is happy to welcome Thingamajigs for their second residency - their first was almost exactly eight years ago in July of 2013. Though this one is by necessity virtual, rather than in-person, their series of performances, panels, and other events promises to highlight some of the most important contemporary music practices in the Bay Area and across the world. Some events look back on our pandemic year, some look ahead to future projects, and some meditate in the current moment. It will be an exciting and fruitful series!” -Sean Carson, program director (BAM/PFA)

Event Descriptions

Artist Conversation

Redline Redefined

July 8th, 7PM PDT

A discussion with artists affiliated with TPG's work-in-progress Redline Redefined, a cultural research project investigating the history and impact of East Bay real estate redlining. Participating artists Sudhu Tewari and Theresa Wong talk about their strategies and process, sharing from their sonic portfolios, and explore issues of equity, community voice, and the responsibilities of the artist in public practice. Moderated by TPG member and project collaborator Suki O'Kane.

Artist Conversation & Performance Showcase

Ensemble Pandemic Practices

July 15th, 7PM PDT

Part storytelling, part radio show, part cinema, TPG brings together local ensembles who developed physically distanced and virtual practices in order to meet the need to make music with others during a global pandemic. Featuring Lisa Mezzacappa and Jason Levis (dBxB Large Ensemble), Paige Sorvillo, Kevin Corcoran and others.

Durational Work

Sound of Wave in Channel

July 25, 9AM-9PM PDT (preceded by 14-hour livestream performance)

Created in 2021 by TPG and special guests. Sound of Wave in Channel is a 14-hour work created with poet Stephen Ratcliffe in the theater of BAM/PFA and features local musicians, composers, and movement artists, including Rae Diamond, Kevin Corcoran, Paige Sorvillo, and others.

Ensemble PHASE

Self_less

July 31, 7PM PDT

Joining from Seoul, Korea, Ensemble PHASE performs excerpts from Self_less, a work composed by Edward Schocker. With video projections Keith Evans, Self_Less, examines our “sense of self” while questioning the uniformity of these perceived feelings. Incorporating live music, projected and pre-recorded audio of stories from people who have unique neuropsychological experiences, such as Alzheimer’s, out-of-body experiences and body integrity identity disorder, Self_Less’ mission is to bring awareness of the connections among brain, body, mind, and self.