FREE LECTURE: School of Music International Research Seminar Series

Stephen Vitiello is an internationally celebrated American sound and media artist. Focusing on the physical aspect of sound he uses atmospheric noise or transforms energies such as light and wind to create new environments and experiences. Vitiello’s visit to North-Western Australia in early 2010 will resulted in an exciting new work for Sydney. Vitiello will transform Alexandria’s historic Brickworks with three unique sound installations that evoke the different atmospheres and landscapes of the Kimberleys.

Originally a punk guitarist Vitiello is influenced by video artist Nam June Paik who he worked with after meeting in 1991. He was a resident artist at the World Trade Center in 1999 where he recorded sounds from the 91st floor using home-built contact microphones,[1]as well as photocells and used that material in his Bright and Dusty Things album (New Albion Records) as well as in an installation environment, World Trade Center Recordings: Winds After Hurricane Floyd.[1] The project received some publicity after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the complex. Vitiello has had solo exhibitions of sound installations, photographs and drawings at museums and galleries including The Project, NY, Museum 52, Los Angeles and Galerie Almine Rech, Paris. Group exhibitions include the 2002 Whitney Biennial, the 2006 Sydney Biennale and Ce qui arrive (Unknown Quantity) curated by Paul Virlio at the Cartier Foundation, Paris. CD releases include Box Music with Machinefabriek (12k), Listening to Donald Judd (Sub Rosa) and Buffalo Bass Delay (Hallwalls).