Sound artists to provide aural treats for Whanganui's Open Studios

Sound artist and composer Susan Frykberg and friends are bringing the art of sound to Artists Open Studios. Photo / File

Composer and sound artist Susan Frykberg is returning to Whanganui for the first Exploratory Sound and Music open studio event next week.

Frykberg, who was artist in residence at Whanganui's Tylee Cottage during 2016 to 2017, will be joined by Australian soprano Judith Dodsworth as well as Whanganui musicians Ingrid Culliford and Elise Goodge.

Flautist Ingrid Culliford is well known to Whanganui audiences and many will have heard Elise Goodge play taonga pūoro (shell flutes).

"We started talking about having an open sound music studio, concentrating on exploratory music and sound art when I was there 18 months ago," says Frykberg.

"And now it is happening - wow."

Now based in Australia, the artist has been communicating with her Whanganui collaborators to plan a concert and workshops to take place as part of Artists Open Studios events next weekend.

The Royal Wanganui Opera House will become a sound studio for the weekend for Art as Sound as Art (AaSaA) which invites a variety of ways to participate.

Goodge says the tutors will lead a three-day journey into the less commercial reaches of music practice.

"The public participation events include sonic meditation, smartphone improvisation, graphic scores and taonga pūoro with classes costing from $5.

"On the final afternoon of the event students will take what they have learned out to the studios by performing in some of the galleries and studios open for the AOS weekends."

One can drop in and listen to masterclasses, take part in public participation events or attend a showcase concert.

"Composers, performers and the general public are all welcome," says Goodge.

"Many events are free and all are affordable."

On Saturday evening there will be a showcase concert featuring Frykberg's own compositions as well as music by Cage, Berio, Soper, Exley and Whitehead.

ARTasSOUNDasART Showcase concert: Saturday, March 24 at 7pm, tickets $20 full or $10 concession. Observe, participate and explore sound: Friday, March 23 to Sunday, March 25 at Royal Wanganui Opera House.