Moving Strings

For 1 month Maya Felixbrodt(viola) and I were Artist in Residence of The Muziekstraat! In the diverse and lively neighbourhood 'De Vogelbuurt' in Amsterdam Noord the work has been moving and amazing shapes, improvisations, conversations, interactions and pieces have been made. 
A major part of our work has been with The Moving Strings. A collective of string players specialised in instant composition. Together we have been exploring our moving bodies in space whilst playing our instruments. When playing an string instrument the sound is produced by the bow moving over the string. The bow is moved by the string player and so you could say all the string player does is making very specific and detailed moments to get a specific sound out of the instrument. This direct connection between sound and movement has been the starting point of our enquiry. We explored the direct influence of movement in the sound but also used our moving bodies in space. How do you go down to the floor whilst playing your instrument and how does a turn influences the sound and your perspective on the room? 

The mornings we used for skill development which we then applied in the afternoon work outside in the neighbourhood. Inspired by shapes, conversations, places and inhabitants we developed a great body of work which was presented during a neighbourhood walk on the last day of our residency. 
It was a great joy to be so integrated in the neighbourhood. The presence of our instruments, music and movement gave a fresh and unexpected element to the space. It opens up an open conversation and interaction which invited children and adults to observe or join our work outside.