Shoplifter's Nervescape, photo by Sam Huber

Closing Celebration for Shoplifter's Nervescape with Hess is More and Listening Center

Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir aka Shoplifter welcomes two fellow artists to perform in her Nervescape installation to mark the end of an hugely colourful and hairy era in the Clocktower's Upper Gallery. The installation hosts a live set by David Mason aka Listening Center to celebrate the release of his debut album and also an 'almost unplugged' set by Hess Is More. More info on the musicians below.

The event takes place at the Clocktower Gallery in Tribeca on November 8th at 6pm, no admittance after 7pm. RSVP is required to events@artonair.org
Other project rooms and exhibitions also on view including the Gamelatron. Facebook Event Link: http://on.fb.me/RBfU0o

Listening Center is the alias of drummer and electronic musician, David Mason. Drawing primarily from influences such as the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, lost film/TV soundtracks, and Kosmische Musik, Listening Center presents a patchwork of imagined pasts/futures, in which the listener can make his or her way through an undergrowth of dream-like melodies and electronic sound palettes which have the effect of being now reassuring, now unsettling.

Hess Is More: Danish composer & musician Mikkel Hess functions as minister of integration, yet It is all about the collaborations.
H.I.M. is ultimately the sum of all the great artists that are and have been part of the concerts, projects, parties, films, plays, studio sessions, travels and more.

Shoplifter's Nervescape

Nervescape is a colorful, organic, and beastly installation by Icelandic artist Hrafnhildur Arnardóttir aka Shoplifter with sound by Kría Brekkan in the Clocktower's upper gallery. Arnardottir makes sculptures, drawings and installations with various materials, including large amounts of multi-colored synthetic hair, which explore themes of vanity, self-image, beauty and beastly mythology, as well as notions of obsession and fetish. For her installation at the Clocktower, Arnardottir uses an existing metal structure in the upstairs gallery as a skeleton for a colorful, organic, and at times beastly installation that engulfs the space, and creates a fantastical landscape which viewers can enter and interact with. Mythology from Arnardottir’s upbringing in Iceland serves as an abstract inspiration for her work, along with the idyllic landscape of American painting, and notions of fairytale drama. The installation will be the site for opening performances, and invite viewers to dwell in the artist’s imaginary world of paradoxical impressions such as beauty and horror, nature and the supernatural. Icelandic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Kría Brekkan provides an elusive, environmental soundscape which will evolve over the course of the exhibition.

Mikkel Hess, Hess Is More

The eclectic and vigorously curious band Hess Is More released their 10-song LP Hits on Nublu Records, evidence enough of their expansive musical tastes and abilities. But just to leave no doubt in his listeners' minds, frontman Mikkel Hess stops by the Clocktower to reassert the breadth of influences that inform his musical output. He speaks to AIR's Jeannie Hopper, who had known nothing of the musician before receiving his album, a standout among many, in the mail; she therefore starts with the basics: Who is Mikkel Hess? What are his influences? What's it like having your parents on stage with you? Hess dutifully and thoughtfully responds to these questions, discussing his early interest in jazz and how he once lost a friend as the result of a dispute over the value of Michael Jackson's music. He has since come around to recognizing the virtues of the King of Pop, but that friend is forever lost. Hess also discusses his love of melody, the performative elements of his shows, his mom's sense of humor and the band's collaborations with video artists and remixers.

Hess Is More & Listening Center (Live)

Drummer/electronic musician Listening Center (David Mason) opened the closing celebration for Shoplifter's 2012 Nervescape installation at the Clocktower Gallery, followed by Hess Is More (led by Mikkel Hess). Recorded live on November 8, 2012 in our upper gallery. Listeners can use the fast forward feature in the player to select between sets. Mikkel Hess is a Danish musician and composer, whose primary instrument is the drums. However, Hess always brings with him a variety of musicians to add to his sound, including xylophonists, sax players, synthesizers and more - all of which can be heard here. Listening Center draws his inspiration from a melange of influences, including the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, lost film/TV soundtracks and Kosmische Musik. Featuring "dream-like melodies and electronic sound palettes," Listening Center's music is at once a reassuring, yet unsettling experience.