WESTERN FRONT – The Techno Primates: In Transition

Description:

The Techno Primates: In Transition was a series of multimedia events involving dance, poetry, video, and electronic music to explore the relationship between technology and primitive instincts. The performances featured pre-recorded video and sounds sourced from industrial environments as rhythmic accompaniments for dance and poetry rituals. As in meditation or chanting, the performances also incorporated a pulse or central beat around which the other movement, action, music, and vocalization resolved.

For this iteration, Bob McGinley was accompanied by Micahel Micheletti who performed electronic Buchla compositions and live bass.

Seen in black and white, in the Grand Luxe Hall, a performer in a snake skin-patterned t shirt holds their pinched hands up in front of them. Dark paint creates two vertical lines across their face through their eyes, as they stare off camera.

Seen in black and white, in the Grand Luxe Hall, two performers play instruments in front of a projection screen, behind two standing microphones. One performer, with a snake skin-patterned shirt and two painted vertical lines across their face, shakes two maracas. The other performer shakes three tin cans in one hand.

Seen in black and white, in the Grand Luxe Hall, two performers play on their electric guitars, in front of two standing microphones. The performer on the left is wearing a snake skin-patterned t shirt and has two vertical lines across their face and eyes.

Captions:

Bob McGinley performing The Techno Primates: In Transition, photo documentation, Apr 23, 1982.
Bob McGinley and Michael Micheletti, The Techno Primates: In Transition, photo documentation, Apr 23, 1982.
Bob McGinley and Michael Micheletti, The Techno Primates: In Transition, photo documentation, Apr 23, 1982.

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Concert by Mural

Western Front is a non-profit artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.