“we are far from grasping the full complexities of the phenomenon of the so-called ‘voices from beyond'... rules differ radically from those of ordinary speech” K. Raudive

This unique performance event showcases 4 new commissions from Mercy on the spirituality of writing, voice, glitch and noise.

Coming from a wide variety of perspectives across langauge-led spectrum, from spoken word to sound-art, performance-writing to sound-poetry and new media practice, these new works are united by their cutting edge approach to the intersection of audience, performer and interface.

The title of the show references Konstantin Raudive's notorious 'breakthrough' experiments where divined 'voices from beyond' in electronic noise - a phenomenon which has numerous resonances with contemporary language practice, from the schizophrenic, fragmented content of the texts, to the disembodied moment of inspiration.

The event is hosted by Mercy, a collective well-regarded for the special atmosphere at their nights of language-art and performance.

www.mercyonline.co.uk

ANAT BEN DAVID

Performer, video and sound artist. Anat is a collaborative member of art band “Chicks On Speed”, and released her solo album “Virtual Leisure” in 2008. The work of Anat Ben-David follows the tradition of sound performance as art practice- treating sound text and visuals, developed through improvisational dynamics between body and voice, using digital media. For EVP, Anat will be showing new collaborative work in her Turn the Radio On project.

Anat Ben David "Turn Your Radio On" pt1 from Mercy on Vimeo.

SJ FOWLER & BEN MORRIS

Experimental poet and performer. Steven is arguably the most prolific and influential writer within contemporary avant garde poetics. He is a PhD student at the contemporary centre for poetic research at Birkbeck college, poetry editor of 3am Magazine and curator of the Maintenant performance series. Renowned in performance circles for the unparalleled vituosity and intensity of his readings, Steven is working with Ben Morris of experimental music act Chora, presenting a new work taking Jewish kabalah as its starting point for an exploration of linguistic violence and trace.

SJ Fowler and Ben Morris - A Spy Vanderung Inem Vildness from Mercy on Vimeo.

ROSS G SUTHERLAND

Performance poet and writer. Ross has written three collections of poetry, nine live literature productions, and a science fiction film which will be produced by Warp Films. His documentary about whether computers will ever be able to write poetry, 'Every Rendition On A Broken Machine' was part of London Word Festival in 2011, and in 2012 he will tour 'Comedian Dies in the Middle of a Joke', a new interactive theatre work. For EVP Ross is presenting an innovative new work using pop-culture film loops as constraint to divine a fresh, impressionistic lyric.




NATHAN JONES

Performance-writer. Nathan has performed work as part of Liverpool Biennial, Late at Tate and London Word Festival. His book Noah's Ark, based on film-archive remix by Sam Meech, is published by Henningham Family Press. This performance will draw heavily on Nathan's theories of noise-poetics, using a dense, lyric performance in an av setting, to dislocate and reform traditional ideas of subjectivity in the performance moment.