Artists Space

Abasement: #62

Music
December 5, 2022, 7pm

Performances by Ryan Sawyer/Darius Jones/Shahzad Ismaily Trio, Samara Lubelski & Barry Weisblat Duo, Bob Bellerue, Rump State. DJ Scott Kiernan. Projections by Chris Freeman

Collaged atop a blue, beige, and orange field is a series of abstract graphic and typewritten elements, including a womans face placed sideways with green tape over it. In the middle, on a piece of blue paper, is the list of performers and text reading "aBASEmEnt 62 at ArTists SpACe" along with the location and time of the event.
[Collaged atop a blue, beige, and orange field is a series of abstract graphic and typewritten elements, including a womans face placed sideways with green tape over it. In the middle, on a piece of blue paper, is the list of performers and text reading "aBASEmEnt 62 at ArTists SpACe" along with the location and time of the event.]

Abasement is a monthly music series featuring four performances, a guest DJ, and a projectionist. Beginning in 2015 at Max Fish bar in New York's Lower East Side, the evening brings together artists and bands working in free improvisation, jazz, noise, minimalism, and experimental composition. When Max Fish permanently closed due to Covid, one of the few experimental music venues in Manhattan temporarily ceased to exist. Artists Space is pleased to now host Abasement and this evening marks our third collaboration this fall/winter.

A figure in a black hoodie and an LED light stapped on their chest performs on a stage, behind a table full of audio equipment. A green light projection is cast onto the stage.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [A figure in a black hoodie and an LED light stapped on their chest performs on a stage, behind a table full of audio equipment. A green light projection is cast onto the stage.]
An audience watches a performance, some are seated on the floor or chairs, while others stand behind them.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [An audience watches a performance, some are seated on the floor or chairs, while others stand behind them.]
A figure in a white graphic T-shirt has their eyes closed, while they stand and hold two cymbals over their head. Yellow and blue projections are cast onto them on stage.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [A figure in a white graphic T-shirt has their eyes closed, while they stand and hold two cymbals over their head. Yellow and blue projections are cast onto them on stage.]
A seated figure plays the violin on stage with red and purple lights cast onto them.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [A seated figure plays the violin on stage with red and purple lights cast onto them.]
Two figures are seated on stage. The figure on the left plays the violin and the figure on the right holds a briefcase full of audio equipment.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [Two figures are seated on stage. The figure on the left plays the violin and the figure on the right holds a briefcase full of audio equipment.]
Black-and-white image of two figures performing on stage. On the right a figure looks down and manipulates audio equipment held in a briefcase. To the left and behind another figure is out of focus and plays the violin.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [Black-and-white image of two figures performing on stage. On the right a figure looks down and manipulates audio equipment held in a briefcase. To the left and behind another figure is out of focus and plays the violin.]
Black-and-white image of three figures standing and performing on stage. Each figure holds a microphone to their face, their eyes closed in concentration. The figure in the middle is wearing a guitar while the other two on the left and right stand behind tables full of audio equipment.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [Black-and-white image of three figures standing and performing on stage. Each figure holds a microphone to their face, their eyes closed in concentration. The figure in the middle is wearing a guitar while the other two on the left and right stand behind tables full of audio equipment.]
Three figures stand on a stage cast in red and purple light from a projector. They each hold a microphone to their face, their eyes closed in concentration. The figure in the middle wears a guitar, and the figure all the way on the right leans forward on a table with audio equipment.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [Three figures stand on a stage cast in red and purple light from a projector. They each hold a microphone to their face, their eyes closed in concentration. The figure in the middle wears a guitar, and the figure all the way on the right leans forward on a table with audio equipment.]
Black-and-white image of a figure performing on stage. They hold a microphone to their mouth and the other hand plays a synthesizer.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [Black-and-white image of a figure performing on stage. They hold a microphone to their mouth and the other hand plays a synthesizer.]
A seated figure in a black hoodie and black beanie plays the guitar with red and purple light cast onto them.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [A seated figure in a black hoodie and black beanie plays the guitar with red and purple light cast onto them.]
Black-and-white image of three figures performing in a band on stage, the right figure plays the saxophone, the middle figure plays the drums, and the right figure plays a synthesizer.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [Black-and-white image of three figures performing in a band on stage, the right figure plays the saxophone, the middle figure plays the drums, and the right figure plays a synthesizer.]
A figure plays the saxophone into a microphone. Red and purple light are cast onto them.
Abasement #62. Performance documentation, December 5, 2022, Artists Space. Photo: Joshua Wildman [A figure plays the saxophone into a microphone. Red and purple light are cast onto them.]

Darius Jones has created a recognizable voice as a critically acclaimed saxophonist and composer by embracing individuality and innovation in the tradition of African-American music.

Shahzad Ismaily is an American musician and composer of Pakistani descent. His main instrument is the electric bass. He is active in the fields of rock and jazz , including in the New York downtown scene.

Ryan Sawyer is a musician deeply rooted in the New York improvisation scene. As a drummer and percussionist he plays in a wide range of idioms. A career spanning more than 25 years Sawyer has played with a dizzying amount of collaborators.

Samara Lubelski, born and bred in NYC, is a singer and multi instrumentalist of song and experimental music. Samara has recorded and performed solo, and in numerous bands and projects including Hall of Fame, Thurston Moore, The Sonora Pine, and Metabolismus.

Barry Weisblat is a musician/engineer from Brooklyn, working with self-made and modified live electronics.

Bob Bellerue is a sound artist, experimental musician, sound/video curator, and creative technician based in Ridgewood NY. Over the last 30+ years he has been involved in creating and presenting a wide range of sonic activities – experimental music, sound art, noise, junk metal percussion ensembles, soundtracks for dance/ theater/ video/ performance art, and sound / video installations. Bob’s electronic sound work is focused on resonant feedback systems, using amplified instruments, objects, recordings, and spaces, in combination with electronics and software written in the Supercollider audio synthesis programming language. He curates and produces the annual Ende Tymes Festival (13th edition next Spring), and is the Technical Director for Pioneer Works and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy

Rump State: touring together as a duo for the first time, guitarist-vocalist Mark C. Morgan (ex-Sightings, ex-Silk Purse) has been jamming with The Mysterious Norwegian (electronics, loops, vocals) for a period of time, the length of which is none of your damn business. You’re allowed to know that The Mysterious Norwegian is conservatory-trained but doesn’t care about it at all (which is precisely why you should). All five people at Remember The Ümlaüt, a Nü Metal Surrealism festival held annually in a different sketchy dude’s basement, raved about Rump State’s merging of high-brow dream theory with fractured clang and fidelity-challenging dirt. They have a full-length album due any minute on the Paris-based label No Lagos.

Scott Kiernan is a multi-disciplinary artist living and working in New York City. Through his video, photo and installation works, electronically synthesized and photographic elements interact to address their own materiality and means of distribution. He is co-director of live televisual performance project E.S.P. TV and director of Various/Artists Records.

Chris Freeman is the founder of music label and distro Fusetronsound.

Artists Space Venue is generously supported by Lonti Ebers, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, Allan Schwartzman, David Zwirner, and an anonymous contributor.