ABSTRACT TURNTABLISM WORKSHOP with Maria Chávez

Name: ABSTRACT TURNTABLISM WORKSHOP with Maria Chávez
Start: 2025-03-09T17:00:00-04:00
Location: Epsilon Spires

Schedule

Sun, 09 Mar, 2025 at 05:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Epsilon Spires | Brattleboro, VT

Join us for hands-on workshop with sound artist Maria Chávez! Her process of sampling evokes the unconscious and takes the element of "Chance" to a whole new level by repurposing the detritus of vinyl into conceptual sonic sculptures, deep-listening experiences and improvised musique concrete.
Continuing our GRRLS TO THE FRONT series, we invite you to join sound artist, DJ and abstract turntablist Maria Chávez ahead of her performance in our Sanctuary this evening for this workshop on abstract turntablism, using turntables and vinyl records as instruments for improvisational performance. All students will receive a free PDF of Maria’s book, Of Technique: Chance Procedures on Turntable and learn 3 basic abstract turntablism techniques, break a record, experiment and perform. We will provide all materials needed, but participants are also encouraged to bring vinyl records to break. We offer free admission to the evening recital by Maria Chávez at 8pm for all workshop participants!
About the Facilitator:
Born in Lima, Peru and based in NYC, Maria Chávez is best known as an abstract turntablist, sound artist & DJ. Coincidence, Chance & Failures are themes that unite her books, visual works & installations with her improvised solo turntable performance practice. Chavez’s work is known for taking the detritus of vinyl & repurposing them into sonic sculptures that can be compared to improvised musique concrete pieces, or, conceptually, sonic sculpture sessions. Chavez’s 2012 book on abstract turntablism, Of Technique: Chance Procedures on Turntable, is both an academic resource & a foundational text for a new generation of turntablists. Her sound art evokes the unconscious: quicksilver changes in timbre, random beeps and burbles, words out of nowhere. 'Chance' is taken to a whole new level -- Maria keeps her records, her 'vocabulary', in one massive, sleeveless pile where they can rub against each other an create new, organic scratches. She also 'sacrifices' those records that no longer serve her purpose, transforming them into unintentional samples to be layered one on top of the other. She is the only turntablist in the world that has been performing with a rare needle called the RAKE Double Needle. This needle contains 2 needles on one head shell allowing it to read 2 different parts of one record at the same time.Her recital style approach focuses on the various forms of Deep Listening, a form of listening practice developed by her mentor Pauline Oliveros.
GRRLS TO THE FRONT showcases empowering work by groundbreaking women composers, filmmakers, and culinary artists. This program has been made possible through generous support from the Vermont Women's Fund. Our hands-on Abstract Turntablism Workshop is recommended for ages 9 - 100+ All children must be accompanied by a parent.