Michelle O' Rourke (singer) + Karen Power (composed field recordings) Premier no man's land (2020)

On the occasion of The Sea Around Us, The Model is very pleased to present a new music commission with composer and sound artist Karen Power. The piece, which is in three parts, including live performance and installation, is based on specially made field recordings that uncover and musically highlight the unique sonic profile of the Sligo seaboard.

Live performances will bookend the opening and closing of The Sea Around Us, and will see Power joined by Soprano Michelle O’Rourke in the premiere of this ambitious compositional piece of voice and multi-channel electronics.

no man’s land (2020) is a multifunctional composition presented as both an 8-channel sound installation and a live performance for voice and composed field recordings, all of which lies in conversation with the major surrounding artworks of The Sea Around Us Exhibition.

This entire composition is based on my (Karen’s) field recordings of the sea from many locations, including new site-specific recordings made throughout Sligo's waterways over the 6 month period of this project. Subtle additions will be made to the installation throughout its 3-month run, mapping local and seasonal sea changes.

The entire concept and structure of this sound installation emulates the living and ever-changing state of our ocean, as simultaneously constant/fleeting, fragile/robust, volatile/calm, mesmerising, beautiful, alluring, harsh and encompassing life and death.

Karen Power

Opening performance
Sat. 29 Feb, 8pm

Closing performance
Thu. 28 May, 7pm