Bjork Announces Multimedia ‘Biophilia’ Residency in New York, Educational Series
Björk has never been one to shy away from trying new things, especially when it comes to cutting-edge music technology. This weekend, the eccentric Icelandic singer announced a 10-day residency in New York to showcase Biophilia, her 2011 album created on an iPad and released through various apps.
Presented by the Creators Project, Björk has committed to six live shows at the New York Hall of Science in Queens starting February 3 and four at the Roseland Ballroom starting February 22. The intimate performances will utilize several custom-built instruments, including four 10-foot pendulum harps, a MIDI-controlled pipe organ and twin Tesla coils. Björk will share the stage with a 24-piece Icelandic female choir and Max Weisel, the developer behind the Biophilia app, to bring the same visuals to life.
All shows at the New York Hall of Science, an interactive tech museum, will be performed in the round with each audience member no further than a few yards from the stage.
This will not be the first time that Björk has incorporated hands-on technology in her live shows. During her 2007 Coachella headlining performance, she spun a rendition of “Hyperballad” using REACTable, the touch-screen music creation device.
However, this will be the first time that Björk will be the inspiration behind classroom curriculum. Taking the partnership with the New York Hall of Science one step further, Björk has collaborated in creating a three-week educational series featuring interactive music and technology workshops for middle-school children. Students will get an interesting grasp on the science-inspired concepts of Biophilia, including crystalline structures, lunar phases and viruses. They will also use the Biophilia iPad apps as tools for music composition and to explore how music and nature intersect.
Björk’s native city of Reykjavik will have this educational series incorporated in their school curriculum for the next three years, and a version of the program will tour London for the iTunes Festival.
Tickets for the New York dates go on sale Friday, January 13.
Related
• Björk Premieres Multimedia ‘Biophilia’ in Spectacular Iceland Concert
• Björk Unveils Multimedia ‘Biophilia’ Project