Zero to 0 installation at Knockdown Center

Ranjit Bhatnagar

Ranjit Bhatnagar is a sound sculptor who works with technology, language, and found materials to create interactive installations and musical instruments. Bhatnagar’s projects include his ongoing Instrument-A-Day series, in which he creates a new homemade musical instrument every day throughout one month of the year. His works have been exhibited at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley, Flux Factory in Queens, the Pratt Institute in New York, and the Mermaid Show at the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center in Brooklyn. Bhatnagar taught “Mister Resistor” at Parsons School of Design, a studio course and rock band with homemade instruments.

Anxious Spaces: Installation as Catalyst

A group exhibition in which six installation artists engage a space beckoning with desire and opportunity. Knockdown Center's cathedral-like complex, with its breathtaking expanse, mysterious sub-chambers, surprise annexes, and hidden pockets, is a dream environment for site-specific and installation art. In addition, these works incorporate dynamic and time-based elements ranging from robotic interactivity to performance events to social intervention. Taken together, the architecture and the artworks transform the space into a surreal bazaar of curiosities for the adventurous. Opening June 15th, from 2-6pm. Special artist talk/tour at 5pm. The exhibition is open every Saturday and Sunday, from June 15 to July 6, 2-6pm. Click HERE to find out about the July 5th Performance Festival!

Anxious Spaces: Performance Festival

A celebration of artists using installation work as a platform for performance, featuring Raul de Nieves, Christian Joy, Hisham Bharoocha, Brian Chase, Desi Santiago,and more.

Anxious Spaces, Artist Interviews

Artists Christian Joy (soft sculpture), Ben Wolf (welded parasite), and Hisham Bharoocha (drum circle) in conversation on site at the Clocktower's Anxious Spaces exhibition at Knockdown Center. On view June 15-July 6, 2014. This program is posted in three parts so listeners can advance quickly to select an artist segment using the player navigation menu. Anxious Spaces is a group exhibition in which six installation artists engage a space beckoning with desire and opportunity. Knockdown Center's cathedral-like complex, with its breathtaking expanse, mysterious sub-chambers, surprise annexes, and hidden pockets, is a dream environment for site-specific and installation art. In addition, these works incorporate dynamic and time-based elements ranging from robotic interactivity to performance events to social intervention. Taken together, the architecture and the artworks transform the space into a surreal bazaar of curiosities for the adventurous.

Anxious Spaces: Tyondai Braxton

In this live recording from the Anxious Spaces Performance Festival at Knockdown Center, experimental, multi-instrumental musician Tyondai Braxton performs a piece designed to play in tandem with the drum circle installation Zero to 0 by Hisham Bharoocha and Ranjit Bhatnagar. Braxton's music focuses on "orchestrated loops," a real-time overlaying of guitar, voice, and found objects designed to simulate an ensemble. He was formerly the guitarist, keyboardist and singer of the experimental rock group Battles.

Anxious Spaces 2014: Dutch E Germ

Electronic remix artist Tim Dewit (aka Dutch E Germ) brings the beats in his performance with the Zero to 0 drum circle installation by Hisham Bharoocha and Ranjit Bhatnagar. Dewit grew up in the DC punk scene, and continues to be a key figure in underground music . His sound combines an exotic sense of percussive rhythm and dark melody, heard here in this live recording of his set at the Anxious Spaces Performance Festival at Knockdown Center.

Anxious Spaces 2014: Brian Chase

The wonderfully talented and renowned drummer for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Brian Chase, composed a piece for Hisham Bharoocha and Ranjit Bhatnagar's drum circle installation, Zero to 0 and we recorded it. Live from our July 2014 Anxious Spaces Performance Festival at Knockdown Center, these hypnotically peaceful beats will lull you into a trance.

Anxious Space: Mick Barr

The avant-garde metal guitarist and composer Mick Barr stepped into the drum circle installation Zero to 0 by Hisham Bharoocha and Ranjit Bhatnagar for the Anxious Spaces Performance Festival at Knockdown Center. Barr shreds and the drums join in, for this an electrifying half hour set.