Sound Projects & Good Vibes
As a sonic improvisor, I play and co-curate events locally, nationally, and internationally. Below are details of select collaborations and sonic projects online and in-person:
The Remotions (a multiPLAY collective)
The Remotions is an online improvisation collective that was initiated by artist and technologist John Campbell. The group seeks for new ways to improvise together across distance, inspired by both the pandemic, and our increasingly isolated lives. The Remotions use low latency audio, individual video streams, combined live in a 360 degree virtual environment, bringing everyone together across time, spaces, and places. The performers in The Remotions include: Helen Pridmore (vocals), WL Altman (found sound, electronic music, and performance art); Norm Adams (cello and electonics); Gao Yujie (live visuals); Rebecca Caines (sound art), John Campbell (digital art, video, found sound), Stacey Bliss (gong and percussion). Click to learn more.
10 Nights of Gong with Guest Artists, Regina, SK, Canada
During the 10 Nights of Gong research talks and gong baths, I worked and played with musicians and artists at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre as well as at the Art Gallery of Regina. The following musicians and artists collaborated with gong sounds: Rebecca Caines, Dami Egbeyemi, Helen Pridmore, Kathryn Ricketts, Sundance Robson, Tara Semple, and D. Andrew Stewart. These collaborations were in the spirit of the gong teachings and research – improvised with no rehearsal. Pictured below: myself with vocalist Helen Pridmore; Tara Semple (flute) and Dami Egbeyemi (crystal bowls) at the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre’s outdoor courtyard, Regina.
@ “Mind’s Garden”, Regina, SK, Canada
Along with Dr. Rebecca Caines and John Campbell, sound recording wizard, we tested gong sound at an outdoor site near Wascana Lake, Regina, Canada at Joe Fafard’s sculpture: Le Jardin de L’espirit (Mind’s Garden) (1997).
Earth & Ether Trio with Dr. James Harley, Stacey Bliss, & Reza Yazdanpanah
The sounds are earthy and etheric, merging from Reza on Persian tar, setar, and daf, Jim on computer composition, bells, bowls, and whistles, and Stacey with bowls, chimes, and gongs. Our trio met and started our collaborations at the IICSI (International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation) Summer Institute in Perce, Quebec in 2019.
Punjab, India
In collaboration with Don Conreaux and with help of Lynne Murfin, MD, we hosted a group of international gong students to learn ‘The Art of Gong’ in Punjab, India. Playful with gongs, harmonics, and other instruments, the group had lots of opportunity to learn from Don and play indoors and outdoors under lovely blue skies.
Concert for Peace & Humanity In Toronto, Canada
At College Street United Church in Toronto, Canada, 140 people gathered to take in the vibration of gongs and the music of the tabla & hang, the oboe, and Don Conreaux’s shruti songs (songs and poems of revelation). The collaboration was an improvised Concert for Peace & Humanity with talented local musicians including Gurpreet Chana, Derrick Tu, Barb McIntosh, Laurie Giller, as well as performance artist, lo bil. Performers met together for 2 hours before the start of the concert to meet and then allow the sounds to unfold in ‘deep listening’ (Oliveros, 2015) style of collaboration.
Residency in Shanghai, China
As an artist-researcher resident, I was invited to Shanghai. The 10 days were improvised sessions to explore the sounds of gong with other instruments, like the drum, as well as performance with zen dancers.
Have Gong Will Travel: Outdoor Sound Installations, Canada/USA
From 2018-19, I travelled with a 24″ wind gong and performed on the Columbia Icefield in Alberta, along lakes in BC, on ViaRail train platforms in Ontario, and in the water/on the beach near Boston, USA.
Playing for a World Record in London, UK
Gonging with 194 International Gongers. 194 Gongers from around the world gathered for the Guinness World Record – the most gongs playing a synchronized composition. It was an immense experience to be with so many gongs and players in one room.
Contact: blissresearch@icloud.com
Stacey Bliss, PhD 