gentle state was a temporal performance space and sensory immersion platform, catalysed with ben chiu (of a love supreme/double double), and developed/delivered with a host of local visual and sonic artists; madeline holt, jasper free (freej), lucas reid (vj local support), matt treffene (respect guy), rachael ryan (fatshaudi), emily devers (twin sister), itrat memon (iti), and zachary degnan (quincy raw).
during a time of sustained uncertainty and social hesitancy, this event was an offering for our interior needs; a dedicated space for gentle explorations, uncompromising audio-visual engagement, shared softness and healing.
we terraformed the space, laying foundations of found foam, rubber, felt, and fabric over the polished concrete floors. it gave a homely, otherworldly softness to a familiar space, which was accentuated with cushions and rugs, mostly from our homes and friends.
fabric was suspended throughout, and we created a wall where a corner would’ve been for the liquid light projections and analogue video synthesis. lucas, madeline, matt, and jasper lead us through visual explorations of fluid dynamics, colour, feedback and rhythm—beautiful visual orchestras of reactive movements through coloured dyes, gels, oils, an overhead projector and a video mixer (which was splintered across the space through a glass prism).
the entry corridor was lined with fabric and custom tube lights, an invitation courtesy of madeline. after taking off your shoes, you were greeted with a fountain of water, candle flames and a mirror; a moment to check in with yourself before committing—ceremonial intention.
though sound was a primary aspect of the experience, silence was our first shared act—one by one entering quiet states of appreciation; awareness of the room, the breeze coming in from outside it, the hum of the fans and the sun’s last light. when it felt natural, matt started our journey of impassioned sharing, and attentive listening. the atmosphere was powerful and reverent.
we had four-point hi-fi sound to grace the space, lead by a pair of vintage klipsch cornwall ii’s through a tube amp; full-bodied, immersive sound washing over the space.
this was the most collaborative, and socially important event i’d worked on to date, and we have so many to thank for giving their time to make it happen—and to make it unhappen afterwards. the result was a potent shared experience of intention, intimacy, vulnerability, respect, gentleness and discovery. we sat, layed down, cried, slept, created and held so much that night; free of social obligations; shared, and in solitude.
during a time of sustained uncertainty and social hesitancy, this event was an offering for our interior needs; a dedicated space for gentle explorations, uncompromising audio-visual engagement, shared softness and healing.
we terraformed the space, laying foundations of found foam, rubber, felt, and fabric over the polished concrete floors. it gave a homely, otherworldly softness to a familiar space, which was accentuated with cushions and rugs, mostly from our homes and friends.
fabric was suspended throughout, and we created a wall where a corner would’ve been for the liquid light projections and analogue video synthesis. lucas, madeline, matt, and jasper lead us through visual explorations of fluid dynamics, colour, feedback and rhythm—beautiful visual orchestras of reactive movements through coloured dyes, gels, oils, an overhead projector and a video mixer (which was splintered across the space through a glass prism).
the entry corridor was lined with fabric and custom tube lights, an invitation courtesy of madeline. after taking off your shoes, you were greeted with a fountain of water, candle flames and a mirror; a moment to check in with yourself before committing—ceremonial intention.
though sound was a primary aspect of the experience, silence was our first shared act—one by one entering quiet states of appreciation; awareness of the room, the breeze coming in from outside it, the hum of the fans and the sun’s last light. when it felt natural, matt started our journey of impassioned sharing, and attentive listening. the atmosphere was powerful and reverent.
we had four-point hi-fi sound to grace the space, lead by a pair of vintage klipsch cornwall ii’s through a tube amp; full-bodied, immersive sound washing over the space.
this was the most collaborative, and socially important event i’d worked on to date, and we have so many to thank for giving their time to make it happen—and to make it unhappen afterwards. the result was a potent shared experience of intention, intimacy, vulnerability, respect, gentleness and discovery. we sat, layed down, cried, slept, created and held so much that night; free of social obligations; shared, and in solitude.
photos courtesy of emily devers and jordan rogers-smith