a l a r i c  s u m n e r :   a   r e t r o s p e c t i v e



 
1 In memoriam dsh
 

Soundscape (throughout): basically distant Gregorian chant (distorted) with electronic hissings & wet slippings interrupting it.

Cathedral-type space: audience retained near entrance by an almost transparent screen (stretching from floor to ceiling & wall to wall)

At an altar, men dressed as monks & leather men drip honey into hands of members of audience, massage them & then wash them with milk then water. They work with respect & solemnity, but are not silent... speaking when necessary to ask members of the audience to come forward.

Meanwhile, through the screen a distant figure paces & calls slowly, hesitantly but with intensity (with manual (not electronic) megaphone) from farthest end of the space:

"Historically, a magic knowledge in analysis lathes Freyerabend's metal, bom of three stages of spiritual practice - yearning, ragged deaths and ravage. Clowns rat on infinity's pretense. A Fish out of cloister rereads remembered ribald rabbinical prognostications. High on a peak, eyes daringly court disaster. Eyes watch the uncontaminated screens, revealing disinterestedly."

When completed, behind the screen, the figure lights fire & pours water - or, ideally, flaming meths pours from one trough along a channel to another (thanks Ric A).


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