Glissando (the sliding sound in music) is a participatory sound performance composed for 25 ice-skating participants. During the performance, participants receive simple instructions through headphones, which they follow as they immerse themselves in the fluid motion of ice-skating, while the choreography almost creates itself. The piece’s music is played through 25 portable speakers worn by each participant, allowing the ice skaters to create a continuously swirling, unique soundscape collectively. The growing sense of community emerging through the skaters’ interconnected movements, in harmony with the multi-speaker music, creates a meditative yet playful shared experience.
No previous performance experience, or prior rehearsal is required to participate in the choreography—anyone who can ice-skate steadily in a circle can join!
REVIEWS:
“The sharing of experiences after the event reinforced my realization of how little is actually needed for us to connect — in body and spirit — with ourselves and with each other. (…) Compared to Somló’s earlier sound installation, which also evoked powerful experiences, this event was much more structured and controlled. Yet the metaphysical effect of being forged into a greater unity was equally present.”
Gabriella Schuller, Szinhaz.net
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
„This was such a rare form of connection: to get into such a deep connection with strangers. This time I could really be part of the community, I connected, and it was beautiful. The rhythm was perfect — sometimes giving space for personal joy, sometimes for the collective. It was easy to connect — a smooth, calm, peaceful, joyful experience.”
„I used to go ice skating at the City Park Ice Rink when I was at school, and I thought how great it would be if it had always been like this — where you can really connect with strangers.”
„I loved when we all gathered into a small swarm, moving together at the same pace. It gave me a real sense of power, almost a tribal feeling — as if we were hunting together, or taking part in some shared ancient ritual.”
„Ever since seeing Tarr Béla’s Werckmeister Harmonies, I’ve wanted to try this planetary, orbit-like circling around each other. I’m so glad it finally happened.”
„The most memorable moment for me was when a few of us stepped out of the circle, stood still in the middle with our eyes closed, and only heard the sound of everyone else gliding around us. Allowing ourselves to step out like that, just to be there in the centre, was very special.”
