Head of Live Programming at the De La Warr, Laura Ducceschi, and Head of Exhibitions Celia Davies joined forces to present an integrated 6 week programme inspired by the work of composer and video artist Michael Nyman.

Videofile was the first comprehensive exhibition of selected video works and photography by Michael Nyman. Nyman’s videoworks are filmed with a hand-held camera. The video works feature everyday moments or episodes that Nyman has chanced upon: capturing the unexpected, or focussing on the less seen.

Soundtracks to some of the video works use location sounds, whilst others recycle existing scores from his archive, or a combination of both to create sound/score montages. In response to the exhibition, a programme of live events entitled The Piano Series.

Music

Man With a Movie Camera
Dziga Vertov’s classic 1929 silent film performed live by the Michael Nyman Band
Joanna MacGregor vs Scanner (commissioned by de la warr pavilion 2009)
Live improvised collaboration of Bach’s preludes and fugues
Hauschka
Prepared piano pieces from recent album
John Tilbury
Performing works by Farnaby, Howard Skempton, Dave Smith
David McAlmont sings Michael Nyman (2009)
A previously unseen collaboration between singer David McAlmont and composer/pianist Michael Nyman
Sarah Nicolls
Experimental composer performs on her inverted piano The Beast
Matthew Bourne – Songs From a Lost Piano (2009)
Matthew and collaborators present a composition for five reclaimed pianos
Keith Tippett
British jazz pianist and composer performs some of his favourite ‘prepared’ pieces

Film Programme (Composer: Michael Nyman)

Wingates Brass Band open the season with live music from the films of Michael Nyman

The Piano (Jane Campion)
Man On Wire (James Marsh)
Draughtsman’s Contract (Peter Greenaway)
Man With A Movie Camera (Dziga Vertov)
The Libertine (Laurence Dunmore)