About

Time Loops is a temporary exhibition in the form of a performance that brings to life rarely-heard historical instruments.

Objects that would usually be protected behind thick glass and touched with gloved hands will come to life through musicians’ touch and hearing to reveal themselves in very different ways. These otherwise mute objects can sing, growl, buzz and glide.

Three internationally-celebrated composers—Sarah Angliss, Gavin Bryars and Shiva Feshareki—will present new works specially devised with the ensemble Icebreaker that explore the musical possibilities of historic sound technologies such as the EMS VCS3 and VCS4 synthesizers, the Watkins Copicat, Roland Space Echo, and the DIY electronic instruments of Hugh Davies.

Taking place in our newly-redeveloped foyer, with d&b’s immersive Soundscape system, audiences are invited to listen as well as to look as sound becomes an exhibit in the museum and the space itself becomes an instrument. The Hugh Davies instruments have been built by Ian Stonehouse, James Bulley and Jake Tyler, Goldsmiths Electronic Music Studio, Steve Thomas, Daniel Jones, Malcolm Catto, or come from the composers’ personal collections.

There will be an informal Q&A with the composers, and a talk on Hugh Davies by Dr James Mooney (School of Music, University of Leeds), in Pictureville Bar after the performance.