The Walter Thompson Orchestra presents their Third Mind Project, an on-going series exploring the American political and cultural landscape, at New York's HERE -- April 20 and May 5.
Each Third Mind Project performance consists of a live musical composition blended with composed text (by C.J. Hopkins) in a unique and innovative style that Thompson has dubbed "Sound Painting". Utilizing a different combination of musicians and stage actors for each performance, Thompson conducts improvisations using a physical sign language consisting of over 400 gestures, allowing him to compose canvases of sound and dramatic content on the spot.
The WTO launched the idea of Third Mind Project in January of 1998 at HERE's CultureMart festival. In February 1998, The WTO was awarded a Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation Grant to help fund the growth of Third Mind Project through a developmental residency to take place this summer in Woodstock, NY.
The Walter Thompson Orchestra has performed in the U.S. and in Europe since 1985, in venues including The Knitting Factory, La MaMa ETC, The Kitchen, Sweet Basil, BACA Downtown, and BimHuis. The Orchestra is comprised of: Walter Thompson, C.J. Hopkins (Texas Radio), Josh Taylor (Mad Shadows) and Todd Reynolds.
Sound Paintings is playing at HERE, April 20 and May 5, for reservations or more information call (212) 647-0202.
-- By Sean McGrath
