LABIRINTO SONORO – SOUND LABYRINTH
A SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES
Introduction
Last November 2017, within the program of RomaEuropa Festival Kids (www.romaeuropa.net), an international artistic festival, there was “Labirinto” (Labyrith), a site-specific installation for children from 4 to 100 years old. The installation, conceived by the company Teatro delle Apparizioni (www.teatrodelleapparizioni.it) consists of a labyrinth of seven rooms, adapted to the architecture of an old slaughterhouse in Rome, built with recycled fruit and vegetable crates/boxes. Økapi, art-name of the italian sound designer and electronic musician Filippo Paolini, has been called to compose the soundtrack of each room in the labyrinth. Økapi has signed a sound journey through the emotions (fear, enthusiasm, abandonment, gratitude…) that accompany the children searching the exit…
During three weekends in November, the labyrinth was crossed by over 4,800 children, some alone and other followed by their parents. Labyrinth received great support from the public and critics. The music of Økapi became the soundtrack that children brought in their memory at the end of their adventure (and in digital format as a present for everyone). After this experience, the record label Aldebaran Records, in collaboration with Slap-Press and Quadra Booking, decided to publish a vinyl. A limited edition of 200 numbered copies will be released at the end of May 2018. A new project in three different options The experience of the Labyrinth in Rome led Økapi to develop a specific project for the psy-trance and alternative festival scenary. Økapi started from a premise.In psy-trance festivals, the audience is increasing and growing. Year after year, the public begin to bring their children with them. Those children already present in festivals also begin to grow up. It becomes necessary to think of them too, to this very young audience that start to show the need for their own autonomy of tastes and spaces. This is the new horizon that festivals are called to consider if they want to keep the very youngest.
Thinking about them, Økapi has conceived a labyrinth of 600 square meters. The core of this is a small dancefloor for children. The shape could be circular or square. The labyrinth has a soundtrack played 24 hours a day thorugh sound diffusion spots. The installation – of course – can be crossed by children of all ages. It become a new space in which you can run across or you can crouch in a corner, where the music gives you good feelings.
Inside the space, in the center of the labyrinth, every evening from 18.00 to 19.30 – at sunset – children can dance with Økapi. Ozora already appreciated his music in two different editions (2013 and 2017) and know well how it sounds good to generate high and lightful energy. It looks to the world of childhood and teenagers. It’s perfect for theatre and circus. It is a big surprise to dance laughing and jumping.
But… how to use the center of the labyrinth during the day? As a LAB(yrinth), of course. During the day the space can be used for workshop for children.
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We’d like to propose this project in three different options, in order to fit in the Ozora plannig and to collaborate with other groups or creative teams already involved:
First option: the total project
Analysis and development of the project and installation of the labyrinth with proper recycling solutions (fruit boxes, straw, wood or bamboo) to cover an area of 600 square meters (about 6,000 fruit boxes);
Installation of stereo sounds spots in the area (14 speakers with connection usb);
Installation of light spots (maybe solar or not);
Setup of a dj console with DJ mixer, two speakers and two monitors.
Second hybrid option: bring the soundtrack and the dancefloor for children over other architectural projects
Application of the soundtrack by Økapi and realization of the dancefloor for children over a labyrinth structure already planned and / or already realized in Ozora Festival.
Analysis and development of the project in dialogue with the existing structure;
Installation of stereo sounds spots in the area (14 speakers with connection usb);
Installation of light spots(maybe solar or not);
Setup of a dj console with DJ mixer, two speakers and two monitors.
Third hybrid option: bring only the soundtrack over other architectural projects
Application of the soundtrack by Økapi in dialogue with a labyrinth structure already planned and / or already realized in Ozora Festival.
Analysis and development of the project in dialogue with the existing structure;
Installation of stereo sounds spots in the area (14 speakers with connection usb);
Installation of light spots (maybe solar or not);