Mathieu Briand: The Spiral

Overview

Part installation, part interactive art, Mathieu Briand's ][SYS*11.MIE>ABE/SOS\][SYS*10][][ — aka The Spiral — is the music experience you didn't know you were dying to be a part of. You won't just become immersed in the French artist's endless loop of samples — you'll tinker with them and help turn them into something new and unique.

The process is simple: it starts with five turntables cycling through a series of sounds. As they rotate over and over again, Briand invites you to approach the mixing table and unleash your inner DJ. Yep, it's up to you to intervene and arrange the records however you see fit. Plus, your efforts will be cut to vinyl while you scratch and spin, courtesy of an etching machine that's part of the setup.

A fusion of hands-on sculpture and sonic chaos is the end result, in a piece that has previously electrified London's Tate Modern. Presented by Carriageworks and Hobart's MONA, The Spiral will also make an appearance at January's MONA FOMA festival, along with Briand's exhibition, Et In Libertalia Ego, Vol. II. So this June event is the ideal way to soothe your envy if you aren't able to make it down to Tasmania.