12 THREADS

Abstract

<p>'12 THREADS' was a performance event of three newly developed and commissioned Australian art songs which presented contemporary stories, perspectives and thoughts from diverse Australian female artists.</p><p>12 THREADS utilised an innovative curatorial technique where 12 artists from diverse disciplines were brought together to collaborate on three new musical and vocal works. The project moved against the dominant composition process where the composer is seen as the central author of new music. In this project, vocalists, instrumentalists, writers, and composers were all equal contributors to the scope, focus, themes, and final aesthetic of the songs. Initial workshops encouraged collaboration and cross-disciplinary knowledge. The project drew on three types of writer, with the musicians collaborating across forms including poetry, prose fiction, and playwriting. The performances were all pairs of one singer and one instrumentalist and the work contributes to the Australia repertoire for cello, flute and recorder.</p>