Gray Area's UNSEEN series returns in February with collaborative A/V performances from the some of the most respected members of the Bay Area's underground music scene.
Cash bar available to those 21+
8pm Doors, 9pm Show

UNSEEN series | Winter 2018 is a special performance of Tactus Tempus, a lost, graphics-based experimental score by California composer Frank McCarty. The work is a "a large, controlled improvisational process for at least five visual pulse-producers and five audio pulse-producers."

The piece was originally conceived and performed in 1973 by McCarty's group BIOME on 5 EMS Synthi synthesizers. By following a set of simple, yet subjective instructions the piece begins as a sparse moire pattern of bursts and tones before evolving in density and intensity as the players symbiotically interact guided only by the illustrated curve found on the score.

In McCarty's words: "One of several of my compositions in play-bill format, the notation employs only words and graphics. In this case, the piece relates to the concept of the pulse. It is a percussion work but is realized by live performance on synthesizers. The improvising musicians produce repeating pulse-trains. Pulses of light do the same thing. The piece gradually increases in quickness and loudness until reaching the speed of sound and constant light."

Our supergroup of audiovisual performers is being organized by multi-instrumentalist Ryan Smith (of Caribou, Geej, Taraval, and Bathing). Ryan is joined for this ensemble performance by Anthony Ferraro (Toro Y Moi,, Astronauts Etc), Brooke Keller (Jacktone), Evelyn Marie Malinowski (Jacktone), Russell E L Butler (Opal Tapes, Jacktone), Allison Leigh Holt, Kit Young, and flatspot_.