December 12, 2024 / 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Wattage: Bent Frequency

with Special Guest Ken Ueno

Special Event
Performance

Prepare to immerse yourself in an evening where art, music, and experimentation collide! Atlanta Contemporary is thrilled to host an electrifying performance featuring Bent Frequency—the Southeast’s premier contemporary music ensemble—and their esteemed guest performer, Ken Ueno, in a collaboration that promises to challenge the boundaries of sound, form, and artistic expression.

Bent Frequency, led by percussionist Stuart Gerber and saxophonist Jan Berry Baker, has been a leader in Atlanta’s avant-garde music scene since 2003. Known for their commitment to diverse, socially conscious programming, they create immersive performances in unconventional venues. This event features new experimental works showcasing their adventurous spirit.

Joining them is Ken Ueno, a visionary composer and performer recognized for his innovative vocal techniques and sound installations. His collaboration with Bent Frequency promises a thrilling blend of experimental sound and virtuosic musicianship.

Bios

Bent Frequency

Hailed as “one of the brightest new music ensembles on the scene today” by Gramophone magazine, Atlanta-based Bent Frequency (BF) has established itself as the Southeast’s premiere contemporary music ensemble. Founded in 2003, BF brings the avant-garde to life through adventurous and socially conscious programming, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and community engagement. A champion of historically underrecognized composers, BF’s events aim to be inclusive of their diverse and dynamic community, ushering the contemporary music experience from the strict formality of the concert hall into the fresh air of artistic expression and experimentation.

Ken Ueno

Ken Ueno is a composer, performer, sound artist, and scholar. Leading performers and ensembles around the world have championed Ueno’s music. His piece for the Hilliard Ensemble, Shiroi Ishi, was featured in their repertoire for over ten years. Another work, Pharmakon, was performed dozens of times nationally by Eighth Blackbird during their 2001-2003 seasons. A portrait concert of Ken’s was featured on MaerzMusik in Berlin in 2011. 

As a vocalist, Ueno is known for inventing extended techniques and has performed as a soloist in his vocal concerto with orchestras in Boston, New York, Warsaw, Vilnius, Bangkok, Sacramento, Stony Brook, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, and Berkeley. As a sound artist, his installations have been commissioned and exhibited by museums and galleries in Beijing, Guangzhou, Taipei, Mexico City, Art Basel, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. 

One of his largest projects, Daedalus Drones, an installation (a fence-labyrinth housing a swarm of flying drones choreographed for performance with instrumentalists) was installed at the Asia Society of Hong Kong and featured on the New Vision Arts Festival in 2021.


Upcoming Program Events

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September 5 / 6:00pm Contemporary Talks

Closing Exhibition Reception and Artist Talk with R. Land

Moderated by Kim Drobes

Free

Celebrate the closing of "Landmarks: Inside the World of R.Land "with a special evening featuring acclaimed Atlanta artist R. Land in conversation with Kim Drobes, Executive Producer and Co-Host of The City Lights Collective on WABE. For nearly three decades, R. Land has captivated audiences with his unconventional, instantly recognizable style—an artistic voice once described as combining “the approach of Keith Haring, the enthusiasm of Disney, and the vision of Finster.” From large-format paintings and iconic street installations to his ubiquitous “Loss Cat” project, Land’s work defies categorization while shaping the cultural fabric of Atlanta and beyond. Guiding the conversation is Kim Drobes, a seasoned broadcaster and storyteller who has spent her career championing creativity and human connection. Together, they’ll explore Land’s artistic journey, community-driven projects, and his lasting influence on Atlanta’s art and identity. Following the talk, raise a glass at our closing reception bar as we toast the exhibition, the artist, and the city that inspires his work. This event is free and open to the public.

September 6 / 6:00pm Special Event

SHAPESHIFTER

Presented by Commune

Ticketed

SHAPESHIFTER Atlanta Contemporary x CommuneATL Tickets: $20 SHAPESHIFTER conjures notions of evolution, adaptation, and transformation—changing forms and shifting perspectives. This collaborative program with Commune explores the tension between hedonism vs. spirituality, the shifting “value” of musical forms—from spiritual jazz to punk, ambient to dance—and the constant striving toward something new. Commune is a place for people to connect around music, food, drinks, and culture. Enjoy a thoughtful program of DJ sets, live performances, film & lectures in a room designed for sound. Pair that with cocktails and wine from small producers, and a rotating menu of cosy continental food, freshly baked bread, and desserts.

September 27 / 10:00am Special Event

Somatic Sound: Contemporary Yoga

Lead by Sydney McCall

Register

This is more than just a yoga class—it's an exploration of rhythm, breath, and energy. As Sydney guides you through a mindful flow, while DJs shape the soundscape in real-time, creating a fully sensory, meditative environment designed to ground the body and expand the mind. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just beginning your practice, Flow State invites you to embrace the process—investigate, explore, and move with intention. Bring your mat, an open mind, and get ready to vibe.

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