The Audio Foundation was honoured to partner with German artist Rochus Aust and his sound art gallery LTK4 in Cologne to produce a major cultural exchange programme. In 2020 Rochus was to present new work and performances with two colleagues as artists in residence at the Audio Foundation, followed in 2021 by LTK4 Gallery to host a major exhibition of NZ sound art, the first of its kind in Germany. Rochus Aust secured major funding from the North Rhine Westphalia Kulture International to come to NZ, and AF was all set to host and work towards an exchange in Cologne 2021.
With the onset on Covid 19, this project was necessarily put on hold. AF transformed our international programmes to focus on online production. In October 2022, Rochus Aust and 3 German Sound artists will visit NZ for a performance residency at the Audio Foundation. In Feb 2023, the group returned to NZ for a longer period and present a gallery exhibition and collaborate with local artists. At the conclusion of these two visits, collaborating NZ artists were selected to produce an exhibition and project in Cologne at LTK4 gallery. In a similar fashion to the LTK4 visits to NZ, the kaupapa of the project will be collaboration.
Audio Foundation presented work at the 2023 Centre Court Festival, hosted by LTK4 in Cologne, Essen, Hilden and Iserlohn, Germany from July 26-August 5. Three sound installations were presented by Abigail Aroha Jensen, Tash Van Schaardenburg and Jeff Henderson. Numerous performances were presented by the trio and in collaboration with local German artists.
The presence of artists from Aotearoa added unique voices and material to the festival. Work was presented alongside artists from Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, USA and Serbia.
Highlights included Abigail Aroha Jensen in collaboration with recorder player Verena Barie, Tash Van Schaardenburg performing electronic music presented on remote control boats in a swimming pool, and the trio performing in a 4 story high water tower.
Audio Foundation has an open invitation to return to the festival and many new connections and networks were formed.
These partnerships and projects illustrate a willingness and enthusiasm by international presenters to engage with NZ sound art and experimental music. The Audio Foundation is dedicated to establishing, nurturing and supporting pathways for NZ artists to perform and present work on international stages.
Abigal Aroha Jensen – ‘R0p3 PL4Y’
Tash van Schaardenburg – ‘Citacsy and the Martin-Luther-Platz Chickens’
Jeff Henderson – ‘The Strap’
