HAR Late: Midnight Minimalism

For the second in our HAR Late series, a night of minimalist masterpieces. Featuring a cult film screening, an after-dark concert, and a late-night set for voice and electronics. Mesmerising. Intoxicating. Hypnotic.

Combining the “…epic, remarkable cinematography of Ron Fricke with the swelling intensity and repeating motifs of Philip Glass’s celebrated original score” (The Guardian) join us for a screening of iconic masterpiece Koyaanisqatsi (1982).

Ko.yaa.nis.qatsi (from the Hopi language), n. 1. Crazy life. 2. Life in turmoil. 3. Life disintegrating. 4. Life out of balance. 5. A state of life that calls for another way of living.

Created between 1975 and 1982, the film is an apocalyptic vision of the collision of two different worlds — urban life and technology versus the environment. Powerful in its simplicity, with no text, narration, or dialogue, Glass’ memorable score is hypnotic.

Following the film, a unique chance to hear the Orchestra of Opera North perform a selection of minimalist works including Terry Riley’s In C.

Then, to close the evening, Australian vocalist Lotte Betts-Dean performs Jacob Cooper’s Silver Threads – setting a haiku attributed to the famous Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō for voice and electronic track, expanded into a full cycle by poets Greg Alan Brownderville, Tarfia Faizullah, Kristin Kelly, Dora Malech, and Zach Savich.