Trigger Place - A Game of Sound and Architecture

Matilde Meireles

"Play" was a project developed by Matilde Meireles and Diogo Alvim with the participation of experimental filmmaker Richard O'Sullivan. This multilayered performance was specially conceived for the annex of the Physical Education Centre at Queen's University Belfast, a building composed of several squash courts and an audience area. The project encompassed live music (a brass ensemble), electronics, video projections, and a live squash game, all affecting the perception of the site. This building became the main character of an immersive acoustic experience, where a game of squash was the starting point to explore ideas about architecture and place through sound. The squash courts were subject to acoustic processes extrapolated from two of Alvin Lucier's most important works—"Vespers" and "I am sitting in room". Also the floor markings were manipulated, as a reference to Edward Krasinski's obsession with a never-ending line. These extended beyond the performance space to reveal unexpected connections.

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We would like to thank the Belfast Festival at Queen's; Elizabeth McLaughlin, and the whole team at the PEC who welcomed this project; Craig Jackson, David Bird, Glenn Gallegher, Kirk Shilliday, Ross McDade, and Mary Tumalty at the School of Creative Arts, Queen's University Belfast, for all the creative solutions that made the project possible; the BBC Northern Ireland for providing footage of the construction of the PEC Building; Una Monaghan, Mike Whan, Chris Reid, Pip Shea, and Jiann Hughes for making the first acoustic tests possible; Una MacCann and John D'Arcy for lending their voices; Chrysoula Drakaki and Manuel Henriques for their help behind the scenes; and a very special thank you to John, Clara, Michael, Patrick, the musicians, and Richard O'Sullivan for playing ball.

Introduction

Project concept, script, sound/image materials, production and direction
Diogo Alvim & Matilde Meireles

Producers and red line tapers
Clara Kane & John D’Arcy

Music
Diogo Alvim

Film & live feed
Richard O’Sullivan

Squash players
Michael Taylor & Patrick Flack

Brass players
Amy Wilson (flugelhorn), Ashley Elliot (tuba), Brian McNarry (trumpet), David Bird (cornet), Edward Wilson (Euphonium), Hazel Wilson, (tenor horn), and Stephen Kelly (trombone)

Voices
Una McCann & John D’Arcy

Credits

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