21/ Incidental Music

2012
By Oliver Herring
Duration: 20:53 min.
Recommended by Josie Browne

How does this work investigate “hope?”
“‘Doesn’t matter, just experiment’ these are the opening words spoken by artist Oliver Herring in Incidental Music 2012, filmed in Kyoto, Japan with ordinary ‘off the street’ people just one year after the devastating Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. The earthquake and tsunami are not the subject of this film but for me Herring contrasts this tragedy creating a tsunami wave of freedom’s joy by giving his participants the platform and permission to literally scream out in public. Incidental Music is a moving example of how art can be a powerful cathartic experience by providing an outlet of expression, creativity, community and optimism.” —Josie Browne

About the work:
“Incidental Music (2012), was filmed during a three-month long residency in Kyoto, Japan. I did not have a plan when I arrived in Kyoto. Making art and connecting people through music, dancing, singing, even screaming, proved to be a democratic and efficient way to build bridges across cultural and personal sensibilities. And it also built trust between the participants, and broke down their inhibitions. I filmed all over the city. Anyone willing to participate was spontaneously incorporated: children, students, working professionals, special needs adults, city hall employees, and senior citizens. The video concludes with an improvised music making session and concert performed by over 40 people.

Sponsored by the Kyoto Art Center and the Kyoto City University for the Arts” —Oliver Herring