Janek Schaefer
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Janek Schaefer is a London-based sound artist, musician, and composer born in England to Polish and Canadian parents in 1970. He is known for his innovative work with sound and installation art. In 2008, he won The British Composer of the Year Award for Sonic Art & The Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers Prize.
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[edit] About
While studying architecture at the Royal College of Art [RCA annual prize], he recorded the fragmented noises of a sound activated dictaphone travelling overnight through the Post Office. That work, titled 'Recorded Delivery' 1995 was made for the 'Self Storage' exhibition Time Out critics choice with one time postman Brian Eno and Artangel. Since then the multiple aspects of sound became his focus, resulting in many releases, installations, soundtracks for exhibitions, and concerts using his self built/invented record players with manipulated found sound collage. The 'Tri-phonic Turntable'[1] [1997] is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the 'World's Most Versatile Record Player'. He has performed, lectured and exhibited widely throughout Europe Sonar, Tate Modern, ICA, USA/Canada, The Walker, XI, Mutek, Princeton, Japan, and Australia Sydney Opera House.
The context of each idea is central to its development and resolution. His concerts and installations explore the spatial and architectural aspect that sound can evoke and the twisting of technology. Hybrid analogue and digital techniques are used to manipulate field recordings with live modified vinyl and found sound to create evocative and involving environments. His CD Above Buildings [2000] was released on Fat Cat to considerable praise, [The Guardian CD of the week]. He has played in duos and released albums with Philip Jeck (Songs for Europe CD), Robert Hampson (Comae CD), Stephan Mathieu (Hidden Name CD) and Charlemagne Palestine [Day of the Demons LP].
"Janek Schaefer's first sound-work, 'Recorded Delivery', remains one of the wittiest and most interesting in the field of Sound Art. It is elegant, economical and clever, and makes me wish I'd thought of it first." Brian Eno [2005]
[edit] Awards
In 2008, Schaefer won The British Composer of The Year[2] Award for Sonic Art for his project Extended Play Triptych for the child survivors of war and conflict. The same year he won The Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers Prize. He was the 'McKnight Composer in Residence' for the American Composers Forum, USA 2002/3. In 2004 his Random Playing LP called 'Skate' received the 'Award of Distinction' at the Prix Ars Electronica, Austria.
[edit] Releases
Schaefer runs his own label [audiOh!Recordings] and web site [audiOh.com] as well as releasing work with Asphodel, Sub Rosa, Hot Air, Sirr, Rhiz, K-RAA-K3, Alluvial, DSP, Diskono, BiP_HOp, Cronica, LINE, ::Room40::, Fat Cat, Spekk and Staalplaat.
[edit] Currently
He works as a full time sound artist/composer/musician/sound designer from the audiOh! Room in Walton-on-Thames on the edge of London.
[edit] References
- ^ Richardson, Mark. "Biography: Janek Schaefer". AMG. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p362537/biography. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
- ^ British Composer of the Year Awards 2003 - Present
[edit] External links
- Janek Schaefer's website: http://www.audiOh.com
- "Asleep at the wheel..." a ghost road of cars crosses a deserted supermarket playing soundtracks indicating where our culture is heading
- Extended Play [Triptych for the child survivors of conflict and war] project: http://www.audioh.com/projects/extendedplay.html
- National Portrait: 24hr Audiofile Album of 1000xMP3's on an exposed USB stick stored in a customised TV remote control http://www.audioh.com/projects/nationalportrait.html
- Vacant Space: http://www.audioh.com/projects/vacantspace.html
- Rapture - composition for dancers on Frank Ghery Buildings around the world: http://www.audioh.com/projects/rapture.html
- Janek's all new Lucky Dip Disco: http://www.luckydipdisco.com
- Radio Feature The Some Assembly Required Interview with Janek Schaefer.
- The Artroom - bespoke installations for the reflection of sound, light, and your inner space http://www.the-artroom.com/
- Local Radio Orchestra - 12 MP3 players and 24 short range FM transmitters that saturate the FM dial on a dozen local retro radios that the audience can tune-out and tune-in to the phased compositions. http://www.audioh.com/projects/localradioorchestra.html
