contrapuntal exhibition - "requiem d'une marionette" - Benjamin Skepper with Michiko Suzuki

"requiem d'une marionette"

Creatively directed by Benjamin Skepper, "requiem d'une marionette" was the first collaborative exhibition presented by Skepper with couturier Michiko Suzuki at Frank Lloyd Wrights "Jiyugakuen" in Tokyo on 23 September 2009.

CONTRAPUNTAL

It is a simple process to destroy ideas, matter, and orthodox ways and call it "punk" or "avant-garde". However, mere destruction remains meaningless without a solid foundation upon which to stand upon. It is the creation that is re-born from what is de-constructed that is paramount.

"contrapuntal" is a Latin term referring to the art of combining two or more independent melodies in harmony. J.S. Bach is said to have mastered the contrapuntal technique of musical composition, though the term in this context refers to a different type of composition: harnessing sound as an independent melody, Skepper collaborates with artists across different disciplines - graphic designers, fashion designers, photographers, contemporary dancers and choreographers, performance artists, visual artists, video artists, film directors ... collaborating across different artistic mediums gives birth to a new melody, a new found harmony.

SKEPPER AND SUZUKI

Music and couture. Suzuki drew inspiration from Skeppers violoncello composition marionette, to create a Spring/Summer pret-a-porter couture collection. Further to the duo's creative process, Skepper composed music for harpsichord drawing inspiration from Suzukis couture creations. Fantastical, whimsical, ephemeral and spell bound, the artists creation recalls the memory of children free to express imagination and emotion in a limitless world.

Each couture creation is a one-off limited item and is sold with the music that inspired the creation eika.




COLLABORATION WITH KEIJI ITO

requiem d'une marionette also marked the release of Skeppers debut 12" vinyl record titled eika 詠歌 featuring three violoncello compositions . Renowned artist, Keiji Ito of Unidentified Flying Graphics (UFG) created the artwork for the record cover. Minus any explanation, the artist worked symbiotically, and Ito drew inspiration for the cover design from Skeppers musical compositions.

COLLABORATION WITH MILLINER RACHEL SKEPPER

Couture millener, Rachel Skepper (Australia) also based the design for her premier collection of couture head pieces on Skeppers musical compositions. The composition Aria Sinai inspired the creation of a pure crystal crown complimenting the wedding dress designed by Suzuki based on the same composition. Rachel Skepper hand stitched all her creations using an array of feathers, including peacock and pheasant, French lace embroidery and silk.

All Rachel's creations are one-off and the artist specialises in made-to-order creations. contact info@rachelskepper.com

Photography by David Stetson.
Sound system powered by Taguchi.
Visual direction and video by Hisanori Fukukawa.

WEBLINKS:
www.maison-de-contrapuntal.com
www.myspace.com/benshaman

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Benjamin Skepper
• Benshaman
• contrapuntal
• Michiko Suzuki
• music
• couture
• art
• Keiji Ito
• violoncello
• harpsichord
• Akira Kubota
• David Stetson
• Hisanori Furukawa
• Taguchi