Sonica Double Bill: The Field of Heritage // Saturation Point

The unique landscape and culture of northern Viet Nam are evoked in an audiovisual collaboration between composer and musician Quốc Trung and digital artist Veronica Petukhov. The chaotic patterns of megacity traffic, densely squirming cells and spinning mandalas are overlaid on digital recreations of the vertiginously vast rice terraces which provide much of the region’s employment and income. The accompanying sonic landscape is an evocative mashup of traditional songs, literature, city sounds and local language. 

Experimental electronic musician Ben Chatwin – who also records as Talvihorros – and visual artist Morgan Beringer present a collaborative audiovisual work, fusing retrofuturist visuals with Chatwin’s signature pulsing, techno-inflected modular synth music. In Morgan’s intricate, painterly visualisations, oceans churn and swell, throwing off smoking spray, while organic forms bloom and swirl in the waves, beings halfway to becoming, brought to teeming life by Chatwin’s soundtrack. Rippling beats, shot through with woozy brass, surge to crescendos then fall back into contemplative, dreamy strings from cellist Pete Harvey.  

ACCESS

This is a standing performance
Limited seating can be provided – please request when booking
Particularly good for Subpacs  
Highly Visual / No or Little Text

Audience notes
Saturation contains flashing lights and glitchy electronic sounds

Running time 85 mins (intervals included)(30mins/20mins interval/35mins)

The Field of Heritage is supported by the British Council’s UK/Viet Nam Season 2023 and Season Legacy Grant.