Artist run Ljudtornet/Soundtower is a platform for sound / music / visual arts, and since 2018 organizer of the annual ANTENN festival in and around the Old Watertower of Gnesta. Additionally, World Listening Day is celebrated in July – and, on January 17th, Art’s Birthday.
For Art’s Birthday 2022, the Watertower live event and web streaming were a multi-media transformation of my painting series the green octave. Through the skills of Johannes Ferm Winkler, eight little paintings were projected to fully cover three walls inside the tower – opening up to summer light in mid-January. Compositions by Erik Peters and Tomas Björkdal intermingling with voice improvisations, small talk and a Happy Birthday song; with Johanna Dahl playing a saw blade; with guests sounding on sound bowls, glasses and slowly melting ice floes.
Art’s Birthday 2022: Bilder från Nysund / New Sound Images
Bilder från Nysund / New Sound Images IV
Bilder från Nysund / New Sound Images III
Bilder från Nysund / New Sound Images II
Bilder från Nysund / New Sound Images I
Fluxus artist Robert Filliou invented Art’s Birthday in 1963. Since then, it has evolved into a worldwide happening / radio / music and art event. Filliou also introduced Fold a Hat, as an easy way to express creativity and have fun in celebrating.
Above: “Fold a Hat” spot outside the Watertower, Gnesta 2022; photos by Johanna Dahl and HHW.
Below: Robert Filliou, Rome 1972; photo by Joaquín Romero
Helena Hildur W. 