"Coming Up for Air in [LOCATION]" is an artistic research project led by Dr Kathryn Williams and Dr Bofan Ma, focusing on the impact of indoor air quality. This project combines live performance and interactive installations, using real-time indoor air quality data to create sounds from the invisible particles in the air around us. The goal is to explore the question:
What and who is changing our air today?
Kathryn Williams and Bofan Ma are a composer-performer duo who are passionate about making a difference through their work, blending music, technology, and interdisciplinary research to highlight the connection between eco-friendly arts and musicians' health.
Supported by the Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music (PRiSM) at the Royal Northern College of Music through a Research England Regional Innovation Fund, the work incorporates digital instruments and the Centre's cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction.
The duo's performances at Waterfoot Wakes are the culmination of a six-month phase of work in the Rossendale Valley, where they partnered with IoT Horizon, a local tech company that specialises in digital innovation. They used the company's advanced indoor air quality monitoring systems, conducted workshops for primary school students, and took local field recordings which can be heard in the performances.
This work bridges scientific research and everyday experiences with air pollution, a major health crisis causing 7 million premature deaths annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
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Coming Up for Air
Initiated in 2017, "Coming Up for Air" began with the idea of commissioning flute pieces limited to a single breath: one inhale and exhale. What started with 14 composers responding to Kathryn Williams' personal story of overcoming chronic respiratory conditions has evolved into a vibrant, multifaceted platform. Today, the collection features over 150 pieces, each with its unique character, ranging from whimsical and surreal to virtuosic and sincere. This project showcases a wide array of artistic expressions, highlighting the versatility and creativity of composers from various backgrounds.
"Coming Up for Air" is celebrated for its flexibility and adaptability. It has been performed internationally, from Australia to the USA, France, Norway, and Poland. UK performances include the Southbank Centre, Café OTO, Royal Northern College of Music, and most recently a 3-hour hybrid art/performance installation for Spot on Lancashire Festival in Poulton Library.
Each performance is uniquely curated to fit the environment, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for the audience every time. This innovative project is now being transformed into a concerto for solo flute and orchestra by composer Larry Goves, with its world premiere scheduled with the Luxembourg Philharmonic in November 2024.
Kathryn has also conducted numerous workshops, sharing the project's vision and guiding composers in creating new pieces. These workshops have been held at prestigious institutions such as Aldeburgh Young Musicians, Chetham's School of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, and Carnegie Mellon University. The project has also been featured on BBC Radio 3's The Listening Service, where it was described as a "strangely fascinating" exploration of music and breathing. This ongoing initiative continues to inspire and challenge both musicians and audiences, bridging the gap between music, health, and the environment.
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Bofan Ma:
Bofan Ma is a Manchester-based composer-performer and multidisciplinary artist. Originally from China, he makes music that embodies a normalised, transnational creative identity, addressing issues around cultural bias, inclusion, and accessibility in the age of AI and machine learning. He has worked with ensembles/initiatives including Shanghai Conservatory Chinese Symphony Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, Distractfold, Psappha, ANU Productions Ireland, Ensemble X.y, Vonnegut Collective, Music Theatre Wales. His music has been heard across the globe, namely in the Shanghai Spring International Festival (China); Mise-en International Festival (USA); Hearing Art Seeing Sound International Festival (Armenia); and Darmstädter Ferienkurse (Germany). Having completed a PhD at the Royal Northern College of Music in 2021, Bofan is currently the Post-doctoral Research Associate at the RNCM Centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music (PRiSM). He is one of the co-founders of the composer collective The Incógnito Project, as well as Chair for the Manchester branch of the international Contemporary Music for All (CoMA) network.
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Coming up for air in Rossendale:
www.kathryngwilliams.com/coming-up-for-air-in-location.html
Waterfoot Wakes Festival 2024:
horseandbamboo.org/explore/waterfoot-wakes/
Rossendale Free Press:
www.pressreader.com/uk/rossendale-free-press/20240726/281560886046391