Homage to the New Skin

HOMAGE TO THE NEW SKIN

is a collaboration between acclaimed musicians JOHN SHARPLEY and ZAI KUNING.

Both artists have dedicated decades of their musical career to creative explorations in vast diversities. JOHN is a composer, performer, lecturer and writer whose musical works and ideas span beyond geographic and cultural borders. ZAI is a multi-disciplinary artist maverick whose musical sojourn passes the realms of ritualistic folk, free improvisational music through acoustic and electronic sound.

This collaboration marks the beginning of an unusual musical encounter between two important yet distinctively different artists in a shared discovery of sound, music and essence of the human spirit.

Date: 3rd and 4th November 2006 (Friday and Saturday)
Time: 8 pm
Venue: Playden, The Arts House
Ticket Price: $24, $20*

*Concession for students and also Group booking of 5 tickets & above)
Email houseofoni@yahoo.com.sg or visit The Arts House box office for more booking and ticketing information

Sound Engineer: Shah Tahir
Production: onistudio with the support of The Arts House

Over the years I have met many great people here in Singapore.Some I dislike their work but love their character while some I like their work but dislike their character. Some of us go and some are still here lingering and wondering. Sometimes I wonder if we have become a ghost unnoticed.

I want to meet these people; I know their faces in this city. I know my way isn't many people's way and that's when we take the risk in a meeting. But I believe if we know above all things trivial we can meet not only to coexist but to create. Can't we?

There is one man I have been thinking for some time and sometimes he even enters my dream. I wonder why? And so i ask him "Should we play?" and here we are.

- Zai Kuning

As individuals, you are you, I am me, they are they. How does this individuality of self connect and communicate with others? Deep within our selves there are innate and immense capacities to listen and respond… to our selves, to each other, the immediate environment and to the cosmos. As with all our being and actions, this is what breathes life and meaning into music-making.

A profound and spontaneous aspect of music creation arises from the interaction of individuals. This interaction might further be expanded and enriched by improvisation.

I have known Zai Kuning since the early 90’s. However, our paths infrequently crossed. On the surface we seemed to inhabit and represent different and separate musical worlds. Nevertheless, I knew that there was soulfulness in his artistry.

As Zai and I collaborate, listen and respond to each other, a process of connection and communication through improvisation has begun. The world seems larger.

- John Sharpley