Photography by Ian Liddle 2016

Biography

Interested in the depth of radical material heteronomy and the self as highly constructible and therefore de-constructible, HACKLANDER / HATAM create powerful and moving works based on sound. Their practice explores human perception by embracing the more extreme outliers of computer music, psychoacoustics, dynamics, reverberation, space and physical spatialisation, with a focus on sound as material and its interactions with the physical world, with keen attention to space and social setting.

Among their recent commissioned compositions and performances are Hatam’s The Sublime Object, Klangteppich, Berlin (2018); Hacklander’s Activating the Messeplatz, Sonically and Stochastic Activation: Basler Trommeln (with Isabel Lewis), Basilea, Art Basel (2018); LABOUR presents next time, die consciously (بیگانگی), Berlin Atonal (2018); Elegy for the Linear Time Experience (we are what we mourn), PHARMAKOS/N: EIN APPARAT, Uferstudios, Berlin (2017); Enlistment as Alignment, WIR SIND DIE ROBOTER, Musikbrauerei, Berlin (2016); conatus/consent (?), Neue Musik in St Ruprecht, St Ruprechtskirche, Vienna (2015) and Levels of Intrusion, transmediale, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin (2014). Their commissioned work in theatre and performance includes music for APOCALYPSE NOW: Life After Man, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Berlin (2019); Do the Right Thing: Emergent Emergencies, HAU Hebbel am Ufer, Berlin (2018) and Michael Kohlhaas, Theater Bremen, Berlin (2017–2018).

They have participated in artist residencies at NOISE, Chiang Mai, Thailand (2018) and Festspielhaus Hellerau, Dresden (2017) and were guest composers at EMS Elektronmusikstudion, Stockholm (2015). Hacklander and Hatam also collaborate as directors of N.K. Projekt, Berlin, where Hatam is co-founder.

Colin Hacklander is an avant-garde percussionist, drummer and composer, with a background in post-tonal theory and electronic music.

With a background in molecular biology, Farahnaz Hatam is a sound artist, composer and specialist DJ who works primarily with SuperCollider, a platform for audio synthesis and algorithmic composition.

Hacklander was born in 1986 in Minneapolis, US, and Hatam in 1967 in Tehran. They live and work in Berlin.

SAF participation:
Sharjah Biennial 14

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