James Tenney's Postal Pieces (1965–1971) are an elaboration of the concept of "ergodic form" (a term borrowed from thermodynamics): viewed from any distance, the processes remain self-similar, thus leading to a potential unity of conception, performance and experience. The pieces can be seen as exercises in heightened perception of sonorous materials. However, the lack of rhetorical content can also feel liberating, as the listener can stop worrying about what the next dramatic turn will be, and focus on the enjoyable subtly evolving sounds.

Although the verbal instructions allow for greater freedom of interpretation, there are similarities in the processes of La Monte Young's Compositions 1960. The event picture shows Nam June Paik's classic rendition of #10, "Draw a straight line and follow it".

Tulkinnanvaraista presents the 11 Postal Pieces as a continuum at Rankka Gallery, with each piece performed on a different day at 15:00.

Entrance is free.


PERFORMANCES (ALL AT 15:00)

Thursday 8 October
Cellogram (1971)
Juho Laitinen, cello

Friday 9 October
(night) (1971)
Juhani Liimatainen & Juhani Nuorvala, electronics

Sunday 11 October
Swell Piece (1967)
Swell Piece Ensemble

Thursday 15 October
A Rose is a Rose is a Round (1970)
Rolf Gustavson, Janne Kivistö & Juho Laitinen, vocals

Friday 16 October
August Harp (1971)
Lily-Marlene Puusepp, harp

Saturday 17 October
Koan (1971)
Mieko Kanno, violin

Sunday 18 October
Swell Piece #2 (1971)
Swell Piece Ensemble

Thursday 22 October
Maximusic (1965)
Mikko Hassinen, percussion

Friday 23 October
Beast (1971)
Adrian Rigopulos, double bass

Saturday 24 October
Having Never Written a Note for Percussion (1971)
Mikko Hassinen, percussion

Sunday 25 October
Swell Piece #3 (1971)
Swell Piece Ensemble

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Swell Piece Ensemble: Anna-Sofia Anttonen, Juhani Liimatainen, Juhani Nuorvala, Juho Laitinen, Lily-Marlene Puusepp, Mieko Kanno, Nanako Lammi, Nanna Ikonen & Sikri Lehko