Forbes Graham | Endured, Enduring

Ilulissat Glacier, Greenland

Endured, Enduring is a response to sound and image (in this case of a glacier calving and ensuing waves of water) that is meant to be experienced as a collection of bounded and unbounded objects. Lines and squares are seen in various states of wholeness. In addition, there are “distorted” spaces which contrast with the overall linear orientation of the piece. These spaces are meant to remind the performer of friction, while not entirely foregrounding it. I wanted this piece to not entirely be about distress or loss but to remind one of the beauty of existence, even if that existence is temporary, or its end portends uncertainty.

All that is needed to perform this piece is an open spirit and careful attention to the elements contained within.

Biography:

Forbes Graham (b. 1977) is a composer, musician, sound artist, and visual artist whose work explores themes of simultaneity, perceptibility, transformation and collage. He was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Silver Spring, MD. He attended American University, studying music composition, in the mid to late 90s. His work has been performed by JACK Quartet, loadbang, The Overlook Quartet, and [Switch~ Ensemble] amongst others. Graham has appeared on over 40 albums, primarily on trumpet, but also on electronics and vocals. He is a member of Mobius Artists Group, a collective of experimenting artists.