New Media Art and Sound Summit [NMASS Preview]

NMASS

New Media Art and Sound Summit
Friday, June 17 - Saturday, June 19
Salvage Vanguard Theatre (2803 Manor Road)
$15
[info] | [tickets]

Shrugging off the confines of typical music and art en masse, the second annual New Media Art and Sound Summit (NMASS) takes place this weekend. Looking to shake up the festival scene with a new approach, NMASS highlights local spacerock favorites such as ST37 and instrumental rock group Bee vs. Moth, as well as other types of media such as art, film and sound design installations. The coordinator of the festival is the local community-based, non-profit organization Church of the Friendly Ghost. A note from the curators gives insight into the festival: "We hope these performances will stimulate curiosity, elicit discussion, inspire high fives, and in some cases, potentially transform thought." Sounds like a worthwhile way to spend a weekend.

On Saturday night, Jonathan Dueck will show his 16mm films on the Main Stage, accompanied by Psychic Temple, a composition by Charles Schlarb. This collaboration between Canadian Dueck and Los Angeleno Schlarb appears to be a special NMASS production. Gallery installations by Clay Odom and Vanessa Gelvin (curated by Lee Kerby Webster) will also be illuminated throughout the weekend.

Another interesting happening at the summit includes a Get Bent! workshop on Sunday afternoon with Artificial Music Machine co-founder and sound artist Thomas Fang. After Fang gives an introduction to circuit bending, supplies will be available for the attendees to try their hand at manipulating the innards of their own device to create crazy new sounds. Be sure to bring an inexpensive small electronic toy to participate in the workshop, followed by a jam session at 4pm!

Of course, no festival would be complete without the secret after party, and NMASS is no exception. Austin Video Bee's BYOB (bring your own beamer) party will take place in a "Secret Warehouse Location TBA" on Saturday night, which is sure to provide more unique film and art surprises.

With something for pretty much any artistic type, the New Media Art and Sound Summit seeks to open your eyes and ears to something out of the ordinary. The festival takes place at the conveniently east-centrally located Salvage Vanguard Theater, with available food carts and beverages on site so you don't have to miss a thing. With an entry cost of only $15, the experience is a steal; tickets available now here. Check out the schedule here and start planning your weekend of discovery.