PROOOOSLA!

a 5-seconds-performance by Jeff Kowalkowski [2002]

 

duration: 5"

 

[first performed: Lichthof der Akademie der Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe / Germany within the scope of the multi-media-happening "Minutes only", jan 18th 2003]

In the summer 2002, we had the idea of a project. It was the question: Is it possible for a composer to express his musical identity convincingly within an extremely limited duration and with an additional instruction from us? All composers were set the task to write a piece of 5 seconds duration (maximum!) and "as cruel as possible, trash, hardcore, punk" for electrified accordion, electric bass and live electronics, with or without voice, composition, conceptual improvisation, performance, CD-playback. At the same time each of the pieces is more than just a statement, a mere musical fingerprint of the composer - each composition develops its completely individual form and is complete in its’ self.

 

And it works.

 

Jeff sent us a fax with the comment "You know what to do"--five papers of stickmen executing absurd actions. Each page stands for one second long situation we have to interpret. On our live performances we take the comic-strip directive literally.

 

PROOOOSLA is after CUT UP OR SHUT UP, ANCHOR, #372 and WESTBETH the fifth piece Jeff has written for us.