Ilgob sorigori - a cycle of seven sound poems

Ge-Suk Yeo

Singer, composer, visual artist, ART.CappuccinoNet.com

http://art.cappuccinonet.com

Abstract

‘ilgob sorigori’ is a cycle of seven sound poems combined with electro-acoustic sounds and a video projection. The music is based on onomatopoetic words, spoken in different languages. ‘ilgob sorigori’ can be considered as a surrealistic radio drama or minimalistic opera with slowly moving visuals based on sound calligraphies.

1. Concept

The video performance ‘ilgob sorigori’ is a cycle of seven sound poems combined with electro-acoustic sounds and a video projection. The music composed and performed by the Korean singer Ge-Suk Yeo[1] is based on onomatopoetic words, the basis of rhythms and timbre. The words are spoken in different languages, which encounter at different moments. This helps to form exciting rhythms and sounds. Consonant and syllables emanate from language, but they sound like instruments, often not clear to understand. The listener himself may decide which meaning he likes to give the sounds. This forms a world of sound, which transforms into pictorial music.

‘ilgob sorigoi’ is Korean. ‘ilgob’ means seven and 'sorigori' can be translated with sound loop, which joins over and over, more and more. One scene is followed by another, at the end the last scene returns to the theme of the first, slightly changed, though, in a variation with different character. It’s not about the return to the beginning, but about enhancements and change: a spiral and endless process.

ilgob sorigori can be considered as a surrealistic radio drama or minimalistic opera with slowly moving visuals based on sound calligraphies (original painted with brush and ink).

2. Technic

‘ilogb sorigori’ is the result of an intense sound work with digital sampling as well as with Flash programming and video art. Nevertheless, its focus is not based on technique, but on the amazing forms of expression these technique opens.

2.1 music and performance

The music is based on samples of vocals and sounds by Ge-Suk Yeo. The music got sampled with Dr. Boss SP-303 and edited with WaveLab.

During live performance [2], Ge-Suk Yeo adds an additional layer of live sampling, singing and spoken words. This is a comment on the performance:

" ...Singer (or seducer) Ge-Suk Yeo and her beautiful gestures as intricately placed as her superbly controlled voice. She surely knows how to seduce an audience. Luxurious!... " [3].

Figure 1: Ge-Suk Yeo, live 2004

2.2 video and sound

The video graphics of the project are based on seven calligraphies by Ge-Suk Yeo painted with paint-brush and ink on Korean paper. The original size is 21.0 x 29.7, later digitalized, printed and animated with Macromedia Flash. The Video format is DVD – (PAL, MPEG 2 , MPEG audio, (MPEG 1 layer 2)), the video’s playtime is about 50 minutes.

Figure 2: Screenshots of the video, scene 3, 5 and 6

3. References

[1] Ge-Suk Yeo is a singer, electro-acoustic musician, composer and visual artist and works momentarily in Hamburg, Germany and Seoul, Korea. Visit her at the web on her labels website ART.CappuccinoNet.com - http://art.cappuccinonet.com

[2] Premiere of Ge-Suk Yeo’s ilgob sorigori was January 2005 at Hörkunst Festival in Erlangen, Germany.

[3] Canadian Electroacoustic Community about the Ge-Suk Yeo’s performance of ilgob sorigori at the 2006, Sonorities Festival of Contemporary Music, Belfast, UK.