About this project
FJORDS is a multidisciplinary performance by Manual Cinema and Chicago Q Ensemble based on the poetry of Zachary Schomburg. Co-presented by the Poetry Foundation, and produced in part by High Concept Laboratories and Black Ocean, FJORDS will consist of thirteen short pieces of music and shadow puppetry adapted from Schomburg’s book of poems, FJORDS, forthcoming from Black Ocean.
Currently in creation, FJORDS will toe the line between live scored cinema and performance art. Using live shadow puppetry, actor puppet interaction, video projection, and manipulated slide projection, Manual Cinema will create haunting visual renderings of Schomburg’s pseudo-narrative texts that morph the real and the imagined, dream states with the everyday, the conscious and the subconscious.
Performed concurrently and in close collaboration, the original score (by Manual Cinema composer Kyle Vegter) for amplified string quartet, percussion, and live/fixed quadraphonic electronics will give voice to Manual Cinema’s visual realm. Employing extended string techniques, live audio signal processing, and theatrical staging, the musical portion of the work will be integrated with the visual elements of the show. Chicago Q Ensemble performers will manipulate amplified objects, play Peking Opera gongs, and interact with shadow puppets to create a unified and decidedly new theatrical performance experience.
A poet, a composer, a string quartet, and a shadow puppet company
FJORDS, a performance that brings them all together
WHERE?
The Poetry Foundation in Chicago, Illinois
WHEN?
February 23-26, 2012
WHAT WE NEED?
Projectors, pickups, plane tickets, puppet materials, printers, screens, speakers, and more. Multidisciplinary art costs money. With FJORDS, we hope to expand the creative possibilities of poetry, chamber music, and visual theater. By supporting FJORDS, you’ll be helping Zach, Manual Cinema, and Chicago Q Ensemble reach an amazing new interdisciplinary audience!
WHAT’S NEXT?
Manual Cinema and Zachary Schomburg will be touring New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and other East Coast cities in March 2012.
Manual Cinema
Chicago Q Ensemble
Zachary Schomburg
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
122
Backers
$4,734
pledged of $4,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on December 18.
Pledge $5 or more Pledge $5 or more
Special thanks in the FJORDS program.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A studio recorded album of all the music from FJORDS (digital download), the official FJORDS poster, special thanks in the program.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
A signed copy of Chicago Q Ensemble’s Holiday CD (guaranteed delivery by December 24!), the official FJORDS poster, and special thanks in the program.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
A softback copy of Zachary Schomburg's new book of poetry FJORDS (forthcoming March 2012), and special thanks in the program. COURTESY OF BLACK OCEAN PRESS.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A ticket to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), A studio recorded album of all the music for FJORDS (digital download), the official FJORDS poster, plus special thanks in the program.
Pledge $35 or more Pledge $35 or more
A numbered, limited edition, autographed, hardback copy of Zachary Schomburg’s new book of poetry FJORDS (forthcoming March 2012), A ticket to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), plus special thanks in the program. COURTESY OF BLACK OCEAN PRESS.
Pledge $45 or more Pledge $45 or more
A custom-built lightbox diorama of a scene from FJORDS (by Michael Tolan), A studio recorded album of all the music for FJORDS (digital download), A ticket to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), and special thanks in the program.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Manual Cinema will make you a custom shadow puppet of you or a loved one based on a picture you send us! Includes ticket to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), and special thanks in the program.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Chicago Q Ensemble will deliver a “musical telegram” by serenading a special friend or loved one over the phone, includes a ticket to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), and special thanks in the program.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
HOLIDAY GIFT PACK! Includes a custom shadow puppet of you or a loved one made by Manual Cinema, two tickets to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), a Chicago Q Ensemble Christmas album, an official FJORDS poster, and special thanks in the program.
Pledge $200 or more Pledge $200 or more
Manual Cinema will give you a private shadow puppetry workshop teaching you the fundamentals of overhead projector puppetry techniques (Chicago area only), includes two tickets to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), and special thanks in the program.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Manual Cinema will design, perform, and videotape an original, personalized three-minute shadow puppet show just for you or your loved ones. (No geographic restrictions!), includes two tickets to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), and special thanks in the program.
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
Chicago Q Ensemble will play you a private concert (Chicago area only), includes two tickets to the world premiere of FJORDS in Chicago Thursday Feb 23, 2012 (Chicago area only, no travel provided), and special thanks in the program.
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
MANUAL CINEMA is a collaboration between puppeteers/graphic artists Julia Miller, Drew Dir and Sarah Fornace, with musician/composers Kyle Vegter and Ben Kauffman. Our process combines handmade shadow puppetry, cinematic motifs, and live sound manipulation to create immersive theatrical stories. Our tools are paper, acetate, ink, light, air pressure, and overhead projectors. We love dreamscapes, landscapes, sound-scapes, feet, hands, space, small delicate sounds, and animating the inanimate.
CHICAGO Q ENSEMBLE is a string quartet of four women dedicated to creating musical experiences which uplift and engage all people involved. Their mission is to help create a vibrant community of 21st-century musicians, collaborators and listeners — and to have fun doing it.
The ensemble has been heard in concert throughout Chicago, including recitals at Northwestern University, DePaul University, Ganz Hall, Spoke Gallery, Uncommon Ground Devon, Grace Episcopal Church, Music Institute of Chicago, and on the Ravenswood Concert Series at Dixon Strings.
