Human Measure from Human Measure by Kadet
Human Measure is the score for lead artist Cassils' dance performance titled "Human Measure." The score is one of the first choral pieces ever composed that is entirely comprised of vocals sung by trans and nonbinary artists. Cassils and Kadet made the decision early on to preserve human elements of the 17 vocalists, such as breaths, and pauses in the final piece, which creates an intimacy and power that speaks to the message of embodiment in "Human Measure." Structurally based on Yves Klein's Monotone Symphony that features a live orchestra playing the D major chord nonstop, each vocalist for Human Measure was assigned a note across 7 octaves in the key of D Major. Using minimal effects of reverb and EQ, Kadet looped and layered these recordings to emphasize a progressive transformation across defiance and resistance to survival and triumph. The score aims to present the presence, personal life force, and collective power of the trans and nonbinary community.
About "Human Measure" by Cassils: Against an unprecedented backdrop of anti-trans legislation in the U.S., Cassils and a team of trans and nonbinary dancers straddle contemporary dance and the history of photography. With movement rooted in kinesiology, martial arts, sports science, and personal safety protocols, "Human Measure" reinterprets Yves Klein’s Anthropometries paintings of the early 1960s. Whereas Klein used nude female models as passive “human paintbrushes,” daubed in his trademark International Klein Blue, the performers in "Human Measure" wield the double-edged sword of representation in a collective process of empowered labor. Performed in low levels of red light found in photographic darkrooms, Human Measure sears afterimages into the audience’s retina with a massive flashing light box, culminating in the active development of one of the world’s largest cyanotypes, on stage in real time. With choreography by Jasmine Albuquerque, lighting design by Christopher Kuhl, and a score by Kadet Kuhne, Cassils' first foray into contemporary dance asks, how do we manifest empowerment, sensuality and self actualization in a society that actively tries to erase us?
Canadian Stage Interview with Kadet on composing Human Measure:
www.canadianstage.com/cs-grid-blog/read/backstage-human-measure-composer-kadetkuhne
Tracklist
| 1. | Human Measure | 20:09 |
Credits
c & p Kadet Kuhne & Cassils 2023. Arranged, Composed, and Mastered by Kadet. Trans and Non-Binary Vocalists: Leslie Allison, Ben Barwick, Lucas Bouk, Caleb Craig, Noah D, Aron Dahl, C Han, Parker Heyford, Sof Kreidstein, Oliver Lyric, Valeria Radchenko, Lou Sheppard, Emma Tome, Tobaron Waxman, Vanessa Wheeler, Socks Whitmore, Sasha Wilde, Torii Wolf. Photography by Manuel Vason. Thanks to Jeremiah Moore for mastering the 5.1 mix, and Producers Diana Wyenn and Gina Young for their support in the US premiere at REDCAT.
License
All rights reserved.
Kadet Kuhne is a media artist engaging community through interactive, immersive and performative works. They have been presented at venues such as Sónar Festival, Mutek, Museum of Art Lucerne, and Sundance Film Festival. Taking form in video, sound, installation, AR/VR, 3D printing, and 2D print, Kadet’s work prompts visceral responses to the invisible forces that impact and connect us.