About the Work:

Frequências Futuras (Future Frequencies) Video projection, quadraphonic sound, bamboo, calabash gourds. Created at Sacatar Institute, Itaparica, Bahia, Brazil.

The installation commemorates the 110th anniversary of Walter Smetak’s birth (1913, Switzerland -1984, Brazil). Much ahead of his time, Smetak’s practice incorporated mysticism, experimental composition, improvisation, instrument design, sculpture and architecture. He mentored musicians Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Tom Zé. During his time in Bahia, Smetak built a 22-meter high, pyramid shaped temple for the Sociedades Brasileira de Eubiose on the island of Itaparica.

The installation, Frequências Futuras, comprises bamboo replicas of the Eubiose temple on Itaparica (circa 5 x 7 x 10 meters), video projection (variable duration between 5:00-12:14 minutes) with images of the Eubiose temple, the temple’s view of Baía de Todos-os-Santos, and Smetak’s photos of the temple’s construction. The audio composition is composed of recordings of alto saxophone, electronic sounds, field recordings, interviews, and unreleased recordings of Smetak performing. Audio is played via four speakers housed in calabash gourds. The project explores the musical synthesis of ideas from the global North and global South. The project in Brazil demonstrated the power of creativity and art in the post-Covid era to support local, national, and global healing.