Keith Harrison

Source: Blabbermouth.net

Legendary grindcore outfit NAPALM DEATH‘s collaboration with ceramic artist Keith Harrison in a one-off performance, which was scheduled for March 22 at the renowned Victoria And Albert Museum (V&A) in London, England, has been canceled.

“It is with regret that we have taken the decision to cancel the one-off NAPALM DEATH performance in collaboration with our ceramic artist in residence Keith Harrison on Friday, 22 March,” reads a statement from the organizers. “This was due to take place in the Europe Galleries, which are currently being refurbished, and a further safety inspection has revealed concerns that the high level of decibels generated by the performance would damage the historic fabric of the building.

“The V&A is committed to an exciting programme of exhibitions and events, but the safety of our visitors and building remains our priority at all times.”

Keith Harrison (pictured below), V&A ceramics resident, previously stated about the event: “My interest in NAPALM DEATH started in the late ’80s when as a teenager in Birmingham I would listen to John Peel‘s evening radio show when they would appear out of nowhere in jaw-dropping fashion, sometimes for no more than a few seconds.

“The raw, uncompromising energy of NAPALM DEATH will be used to activate a set of three specially created ceramic sound systems based on the group of vivid blue and yellow tiled tower blocks on the Bustleholm Mill estate, West Bromwich where I was born.

“I wanted to invite NAPALM DEATH to collaborate with me for this live performance at the Museum for the last of a series of Disruptions I have worked on throughout my residency.”

Century Media Records have announced the following news:

Extreme metal and art – two worlds apart? Not for legendary grindcore outfit NAPALM DEATH who will collaborate with ceramic artist Keith Harrison in a one-off performance at the renowned V&A in London on March 22, 2013 starting at 7:30pm UK time. The band will play a special live set through an experimental sculptural sound system constructed by Harrison. Clad with ceramic tiles, the structures will potentially disintegrate as the performance progresses.

Mark “Barney” Greenway, vocalist of NAPALM DEATH states:

“Sound as a weapon – or a weapon of change – is a very interesting concept and I think that the whole process of our sound gradually degrading clay sculptures is captivating. The noise element of music should never be understated and this exhibition at the V&A will hopefully demonstrate that music can do interesting things beyond the realms of clipped production techniques. On a personal level, particularly of interest to me is the fact that the sculptor Keith grew up around the very same area as me in Great Barr, Birmingham, and basing his sculptures around the tower blocks in that area brings back a lot of quirky memories mixed with the impressions of shameful deprivation in some of those places.”

Keith Harrison, V&A Ceramics Resident comments:

“My interest in NAPALM DEATH started in the late eighties when as a teenager in Birmingham I would listen to John Peel’s evening radio show when they would appear out of nowhere in jaw dropping fashion, sometimes for no more than a few seconds.

The raw, uncompromising energy of NAPALM DEATH will be used to activate a set of three specially created ceramic sound systems based on the group of vivid blue and yellow tiled tower blocks on the Bustleholm Mill estate, West Bromwich where I was born. I wanted to invite NAPALM DEATH to collaborate with me for this live performance at the Museum for the last of a series of Disruptions I have worked on throughout my residency.”

Ruth Lloyd, V&A Residency Co-ordinator adds:

“The V&A Residency Programme is public facing and aims to represent a wide range of audiences through artist led activities at the Museum. Past residents have staged events aimed at communities interested in poetry, sound art, architecture, design and contemporary craft. Harrison has led the V&A in developing a series of events aimed at heavy metal music and its fans.”

Booking information

Tickets are free, but limited.

To book, visit the V&A website – http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/2399/date/20130322/

Or call the Bookings Office on +44 (0)20 7942 2211

Tickets for this performance must be collected in person from the V&A on 22 March; 15.00 – 18.30 Tickets not collected will become available as returns.

More info about Keith Harrison and this very special event can be found at:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/keith-harrison/

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is the world’s greatest museum of art and design.

Address: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom

http://www.vam.ac.uk

NAPALM DEATH online:

http://www.napalmdeath.org

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http://www.myspace.com/napalmdeath

http://www.twitter.com/NAPALM_DEATH