Black Zero 1965, considered a major early example of multimedia performance during the 1960s, is to be re-staged in its original form during this special one-off event in the Tanks at Tate Modern. An audio-visual, electro dance incorporating live amplified cello music, hand-painted slides and hand-painted films turns the South Tank into a hypnotic and mystical environment.
Originally a collaboration with dancer Beverly Schmidt, Moondial 1966 presents a mixture of electronic imagery, slides, films and sounds, while a single female dancer improvises particular movements in front of a live audience. Large abstract, hand-painted slides and hand-painted films will be projected onto the dancer as she moves through the unique space of the Tank.
It [Moondial] is one of those few cases where everything seemed to work perfectly... The flashes and glimpses of light and slides, and the dancer, all together, produced an aesthetically unified performance... breathtakingly beautiful performance.
Electromedia performance for one 16 mm projector, 2 carousels projectors, 1 dancer, 1 musician. [Originally performed in 1966 by Aldo Tambellini (projectors) and Beverly Schmidt (dancer) at The Dom, in St. Mark's Place, NYC, by invitation from Rudi Stern and Jackie Cassen as part of their "TRIPS" Program].
Electromedia performance for two 16 mm projectors, 3 monitors, 5 slide carousels, 1 dancer, 3 musicians, 4 projectionists, 1 poet.
[Originally performed in Astor Playhouse, NYC, November 16, 1965 by Aldo Tambellini, Elsa Tambellini (projectors) Ben Morea (clamorous machines), Ron Hahne (spiral machine), Bill Dixon (horn), Alan Silva (Bass), Calvin C. Herton (poet)].
Monster Demon and Jitterbugging in the Streets, written and performed by Calvin C. Hernton. Recorded by Aldo Tambellini in the Black Gate Theatre, 1968.
Curated by Pia Bolognesi and Giulio Bursi with Stuart Comer, Tate Curator, assisted by Capucine Perrot, Tate Assistant Curator and Laura Hensser, Tate Project Assistant.
With thanks to Anna Salamone and Harvard Film Archive.