A requiem for obsolete technology.

Artefact is a live performance and video project made in collaboration with Willoh S.Weiland. For this work Brennan has created a new composition for classical choir, death metal vocalists and organ. The work was first presented in October 2016 at ANTI FESTIVAL, as a sunset concert in Kuoppio, Finland. The film is currently in post production.

The composition was performed live in Puijo Church, conducted by Brennan and Anna Antikainen (FI), followed by the ritual burying of a 15 tonne stone in an outer urban wasteland. Marking the burial site is a permanent public object, designed for the future by those from the past, to commemorate our current obsessions.

The work represents a funeral for technology that has fallen into obsolescence. The mysterious phenomenon of brand disappearance. A tribute to the immortal consumer icons we have internationally adored and the intimate and fickle ways we worship them. 

We farewell the products that have formed us with performance, sound, documentary and pathos. 

This inter-generational work was created with the community of Kuopio, featuring some of its best loved choirs, death metal singers and a living timeline from senior citizens to wild children. 

Concept and direction – Willoh S.Weiland

Music direction and composition – J R Brennan

Performance –  Willoh S.Weiland and J R Brennan

Artefact – Susan Cohn and Willoh S. Weiland

Collaborating artists – Matthew Gingold, Julian Crotti, Emile Zile, Shocker_TV

Produced for ANTI Festival by Elisa Itkonen
Produced for APHIDS by Rosemary Joy and Claire Portek
Production Assistant- Anu Rantonen

Cinematography- Kim Saarinen (FI)
Conductor and Score- Anna Antikainen (FI)
Video editing and operation- Matthew Gingold
Technical wizardry- Joshua Gardiner
Sound Engineer- Jari Tuomainen (FI)
Photography- Bryony Jackson
Graphic Design- Rebecca McCauley

PERFORMERS

Puijon Kamarikuoro Choir
Nuorisokuoro Beat Choir
Ella Raatikainen / Taidelukio Lumitin Kuoro Choir

Antti Boman / Demilich
Aku Oksala / Messiah Paratroop
Jani “Nate” Pylkkänen / Hellboozer Union
Janne Partanen / Hautajaisyö
Lauri Ruotsalainen / Distress of Ruin
Markus Laakso / Chaosweaver
Ossi Maalampi / Funeral Home
Petri Raatikainen / Hellspirit
Ville Yrjölä / Kruor

Katri Antikainen
Ossi Putkonen
Kevät-Lilja Kautto
Uniela Fabricius
Pihla Väisänen
Edith Polon
Patrik Törhönen
Anniina Dyster
Elsi Gorski
Riikka Tolonen
Inka-Leea Hakkarainen
Vilma Pakkanen
Oona Nykter
Anne Kautto
Sanna Hiltunen
Tommi Lindman
Arni Hiltunen
Päivi Itkonen
Kristiina Korpela
Ilkka Hiltunen
Marja-Leena Hiltunen
Taina Rytkönen
Aino Manninen

Valentina Karga
Pietre Grandry
Mikkel Sommer
Marianne Mulvey

Artefact is a co-production by ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival and Aphids Events. The project is supported by the Saastamoinen Foundation and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.