VISIONAIR-08 (Michael Graeve: Simple Methods for Complex Times)

Visionair-08 is the eigth edition of an annual initiative that e/static began in 2001. This year it will feature Australian artist Michael Graeve, who will perform Thursday 4 December 4 2008, and Dutch artist Paul Hendrikse, performing Thursday December 11 2008.
"Simple Methods for Complex Times” is MICHAEL GRAEVE's ongoing sound performance project. He assists his orchestra of domestic record players and loudspeakers in picking themselves up: rich textures, rhythms and tones evidence simple interactions between machine process and human gesture. But the machines are not DJ turntables, and nor is there any vinyl in sight. Instead we are treated to a complex surround sound experience emanating from ten record players each with amplifiers and twenty loudspeakers spread throughout the room. "I am fascinated by the inherent limitations of the machines, and the way in which these limitations give rise to complex possibilities and sound events. In these improvised performances I revel in the volatile and unpredictable nature of the equipment".

Michael Graeve (1971) is a sound and visual artist based in Melbourne, Australia. He exhibits, performs and teaches internationally. He works across painting and sound disciplines through easel painting, site-specific installation, painting and sound installation, sound performance and composition. His recent performances and sound installations have included Happy New Ears 2008 (Kortrijk, Belgium), Tonspur 2007 (Vienna), SFX Seoul 2007 (Seoul), Openport 2007 (Chicago), Issue Project Room (New York), Sonambiente 2006 (Berlin). Completed degrees include Master of Fine Art (MFA Studio, School of the Art Institute of Chicago 2007), Masters in Arts (MA Media Arts, RMIT University Melbourne 2004), Bachelor of Arts (BA Media Arts, RMIT University Melbourne 1999) and Bachelor of Arts (BA Honours Fine Art Painting, RMIT Melbourne 1995). His work has been reviewed by Branden W. Joseph (Artforum International, March 2005), Nicholas Chambers (Eyeline No 50, 2002), Ros Bandt (Sound Sculpture - Intersections in Sound and Sculpture in Australian Artworks, 2001) and Stephen O'Connell (Art/Text No 59, 1997). He has been involved in artist-run galleries as founding committee member of Grey Area Art Space Inc (1996-1999), and Program Manager at West Space Inc (2002-2004), and is currently a board member of Liquid Architecture Sound Art Festival in Melbourne.