Thursday, August 14, 2008

DJ Spooky tonight at the Detroit Institute of Arts

Rebirth of a Nation

From the DIA website:

Conceptual artist Paul D. Miller, AKA DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid, draws on his celebrated skills as a writer, musician, club DJ, philosopher, and social critic to create a multimedia performance that examines mythmaking and propaganda. Rebirth of a Nation is a video remix of D.W. Griffith’s 1915 silent film The Birth of a Nation, hailed for its use of pioneering editing techniques and reviled for its racist depiction of African-Americans and distorted account of American history. Through Rebirth of a Nation, Miller offers a twenty-first century response to Griffith’s film that questions the fragmented perceptions that make up our complex history. Working in the motif of “DJ as director,” the artist cuts and pastes celluloid sequences “live” to create a new experience. The accompanying soundtrack is a mix of Miller’s electronic compositions, including a score recorded by the acclaimed string ensemble Kronos Quartet. The performance will be followed by a moderated discussion with the artist.

Sweet.

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