MoMA Announces Pamela Z to Develop New Work in The Studio Residency Program, Beginning July 2023

Pamela Z. Photo by rubra (courtesy of Ars Electronica)

Artist’s Research and Development Will Culminate in a Performance Series and Public Installation in August

MoMA announces Studio Residency: Pamela Z, being developed in the Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Studio from July 8 through August 13, 2023. This is the second iteration of MoMA’s annual Studio Residency program, which offers artists space and resources for experimentation, collaboration, and the incubation of new projects. At the Museum, Pamela Z will continue to develop her intermedia performance work Simultaneous, a song cycle comprising voice, electronic processing, chamber ensemble (oboe, English horn, viola, cello, and percussion), speech samples, gesture control, and projected video. The residency will culminate in a performance premiere of the work, a public conversation with the artist, and a glimpse into a version of the work adapted for installation. Studio Residency: Pamela Z is organized by Martha Joseph, The Phyllis Ann and Walter Borten Assistant Curator of Media and Performance, with May Makki, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Media and Performance. Produced by Kate Scherer, Manager and Producer, with Aminah Ibrahim, Assistant Performance Coordinator, Performance and Live Programs.

Composer-performer Pamela Z is an innovator of live sonic and visual performance techniques. She performs with custom electronic instruments, using sensors that allow her to control sound through gesture. Through digital processing and physical movement, she manipulates her voice in real time alongside projected video and sampled audio to create dense sonic layers that combine extended vocal techniques, operatic bel canto, spoken word, and sampled sound. Describing her process, Pamela Z has said, “I see the sound, images, and physical movement in my performances as an integrated whole.”

Simultaneous performance schedule

Thursday, August 3, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 5, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 6, 3:00 p,m.

This matinee performance will be followed by a conversation between Pamela Z and Martha Joseph.

The installation version of Simultaneous will be on view during museum hours August 9–13.

Performers:

Pamela Z, voice and electronics

Chamber Ensemble:

Kyle Bruckmann, oboe/English horn

Charlton Lee, viola

Clara Kennedy, cello

Kjell Nordeson, percussion

SPONSORSHIP:

The exhibition is presented as part of The Hyundai Card Performance Series.

Major support is provided by the Lonti Ebers Endowment for Performance, the Sarah Arison Endowment Fund for Performance, and the Wallis Annenberg Director’s Fund for Innovation in Contemporary Art.