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Hi!
My name is Laureano Cantarutti aka Law Cant. I’m an author, composer, performer and music producer from Córdoba, Argentina.
HISTORY
Some years ago I knew the world of Circuit Bending, I was fascinated and started modifying devices to include them in my set. During this time I had the beautiful opportunity to meet several of the North American and European references, but I was unable to contact artists from Latin America. Reason why I decided to generate this sound map: to get to know each other, minimize distances and generate a meeting point.
WHAT IS CIRCUIT BENDING?
Each artist was asked what Circuit Bending is in their own words, in order to carry out the following collective definition:
"Practical philosophy that allows us to explore and discover hidden potential by making modifications to the circuits in direct dialogue with chance and playfulness, resulting in wild and fun sounds that were not programmed in the conception of the object.
It’s a challenge and criticism of the popular, a hack into the cycle life of the appliances to be able to recycle them, reuse and re-signify them.
A spiritual search and questioning of paradigms, which resonates in the cosmos at the physical and metaphysical."
OBJECTIVE
The objective is to disseminate the work of Latin American artists who make and use Circuit Bending in their compositions. This work is non-profit, totally self-managed and without the support of any institution/sponsor.
RESULTS OF THE FIRST EDITION
- The call was made through the different social networks from July 24 to September 7, 2020.
- Number of artists who responded to the call: 33 + 1 guest artist.
- Artists according to countries:
Chile: 2
Argentina: 11
Uruguay: 1
Brazil: 4
Peru: 1
Ecuador: 3
Colombia: 3
Costa Rica: 3
Cuba: 1
El Salvador: 1
México: 3
- Guest artist: 1 from Canary Islands.
Each participant shared their composition in audio, images of the devices used and some sent video recordings. The works presented include: basic modifications, advanced, circuit creation hybrids and sound sculptures.
ANNEX: RESEARCH PAPERS ON CIRCUIT BENDING
During the call, one of the biggest surprises was learning that there are scientific papers in Latin America on Circuit Bending. The papers are the following:
“Circuit-Bending and the DIY Culture” - Alexandre Marino Fernandez and Fernando Iazzetta – 2011 - Universidade de São Paulo – Brasil
“Circuito alterado em três atos: abrir, tatear e multiplicar”. 2013. - Alexandre Marino Fernandez - Dissertação (Mestrado em Música) - Universidade de São Paulo.
“Apropiación de tecnologías en el circuit bending en Colombia”. (2020) - Francisco Javier Thaine Rojas.
ANNEX 2: SPECIAL MENTIONS
IGOR AMOKIAN (Los Angeles, California, USA): One of the most active benders that I had the pleasure of meeting thanks to this job. He helped this compilation to attract more artists from Latin America through the Facebook groups it manages.
TIGER CLAW RECORDS (Madison, Wisconsin, USA): First record label dedicated exclusively to exclusively disseminating artists who used “bentstruments” for their compositions and sound exploration.
REED GHAZALA (USA) Without him, this sound map would not exist. His discovery in the 1960’s of what he would call Circuit Bending opened the doors to this wonderful world of sound experimentation with low-voltage devices. He had the opportunity to generously collaborate on this sound map, accessing the work of each artist, prior to its publication and sharing a message for all the artists.
FINAL WORDS
This compilation can be downloaded for free at Bandcamp by entering the value 0 (zero) in the option "Name Your Price" (link is in the description). In case of generating monetary income related to the reproduction and virtual stores, they will be used to cover production, editing, graphic design and promotion expenses of this compilation.
In the video description on YouTube you will find the detailed sections that make up the map, links to contact each artist and learn more of his works.
People who are interested in participating in the next edition of this compilation can send an email with the subject "Sound Map Bending" to the following address: laureanocantarutti@gmail.com
THANKS
Many thanks to each artist who responded to the Latin American call and today is part of this first edition. Many thanks to those who shared their scientific work so that more people can access it. Last but not least, thank you very much Reed Ghazala and Igor Amokian for all the support providing and for your active participation, providing feedback and enhancing the desire to continue forward in search of new horizons of sound.
CREDITS
Idea and realization: Laureano Cantarutti
Mastering: Danilo Cantarutti
Start and end theme: "Circuit Bending Feelings" - Danilo Cantarutti
© All works correspond to their respective authors and composers.
℗ Laureano Cantarutti, 2020.