YARNS is a study group whose aim is to rethink, question and re-invent the ethics and policies of “the band”. Initiated by On Land Collective /Association (OLC/A) in the spring of 2022, premiered in the summer at Belluard Bollwerk in Fribourg (CH), YARNS weave a social fabric that fosters multiple perspectives, the redistribution of power and planned break-ups.

At the moment, YARNS is composed of Aram Abbas, Nelson Beer, Romane Chabrol-Prudent, Varoujan Chetirian & Lore DeSelys.



Links

https://belluard.ch/en/shows/yarns
https://onlandcollective.network
https://soundcloud.com/onlandcollective

Description

The stereotypical band invokes hierarchy, patrimony, gate-keeping, sad break-ups and many other relationship failures that are still fetishised in the music industry. YARNS is a response to the situation of “the band”.

YARNS is a collective and collaborative performance that focuses on polyphony, and the act of listening. Each player is given a set of sounds to work with, and can bring their own to the pool. Then, they improvise with fellow players and choose, according to a common framework, how they want to process or interpret the sounds.  Each player has a limited amount of « speech » time, which invokes them also to listen.



Once the year ends, current players commission the subsequent group of players and have the responsibility of looking over them by sharing with them tools on communication, improvisation and listening. They help finding places to play, and make sure the production goes smoothly.

Commission of artists are wary of equality and intersectionality, based on individual trust and cultural affiliation, and voted by consensus.

The cycle continues, always redistributing power, allowing voices to become polyphonic and in constant flux, to weave links and pass on a passion for mutual learning and benevolence. If they wish so, players are encouraged to become members of OLC/A where they will get continued support from their peers. Previous players of YARNS progressively lose their voices from the voting process, but remain as resources, in case they are needed.



©Julie Folly
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