Neil Leonard
Frequências Futuras (Future Frequencies)
Quadraphonic sound based on recordings of alto saxophone, electronic sounds, field recordings; bamboo, gourd, video projection. Premiered at Galleria Solar Ferrão Pelourinho, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Created at Sacatar Institute, Itaparica, Bahia 2023.
The installation Frequências Futurais (2023) , commemorated the 110th anniversary of Walter Smetak’s birth (1913, Zurich, Switzerland -1984, Salvador, Bahia). Much ahead of his time, his practice incorporated Brazilian mysticism, experimental composition, improvisation, instrument design, sculpture and architecture. Brazilian musicians Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé studied with Smetak at the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). During his time in Bahia, Smetak built a 22 meter high, pyramid shaped temple for the Sociedade Brasileira de Eubiose on the island of Itaparica in Bahia.
The installation, Frequências Futuras, comprises bamboo replicas of the Eubiose temple and accompanying obelisk on Itaparica (circa 5 x 7 x 10 meters), a video projection (duration 12:14) with images of the pyramid shaped temple, the view from temple overlooking the bay, and Smetak's photos of the temple’s construction. The audio composition is comprised of recordings of alto saxophone, electronic sounds, field recordings from Itaparica, and interviews conducted at the Eubiose temple. Audio is played via four speakers housed in calabash gourds situated at the base of the temple. The project explores the musical synthesis of ideas from the global North and global South. The project in Brazil demonstrated the power of creativity and art in the post-Covid era to support local, national, and global healing.
