For its 2015–16 season, The Drawing Center has developed two multi-evening events for its newly renovated galleries that demonstrate the institution’s increased focus on the intersections between drawing, sound, and performance-based art. Interspersed between major exhibitions, Drawing Sound brings commissions of new work to The Drawing Center’s space and builds upon the institution’s recent explorations of drawing and music in the work of Iannis Xenakis and William Engelen. Billy Martin and String Noise (Conrad Harris and Pauline Kim) curate the two Drawing Sound performances in July and September of 2015, respectively.

For the Wandering performance series in July of 2015, Martin has invited world-renowned musicians to interpret and perform his graphic scores and automatic drawings.

Night 1 - July 8, 2015 7:30pm

Soloists: Chris Cochrane (guitar), Billy Martin (percussion), John Medeski (keyboard synthesizer), Ikue Mori (electronics), and Ned Rothenberg (clarinets, saxophone, shakuhachi)

Interpreting Billy Martin's graphic scores

Ensemble: Alarm Will Sound (vibraphone, marimba, clarinet, trombone, viola, gongs) with guests Chris Cochrane, John Medeski, and Ned Rothenberg

Performing Coral Sea, Heart Strings, The Animated Veve, Chaman

Night 2 - July 9, 2015 7:30pm

Soloists: Cyro Baptista (percussion, voice) and Anthony Coleman (keyboards)

Interpreting Billy Martin's graphic scores

Yoshiko Chuma (dancer) and Billy Martin (percussion)

Performing Pas de deux

Ensemble: Fang Percussion (3-20 percussionists)

Performing Stridulations for the Good Luck Feast (for temple blocks and bamboo) and Drawing Sound (gongs, water phone and other metallics)

Night 3 - July 10, 2015 7:30pm

Soloists: Annie Gosfield (electronics) and Billy Martin (percussion)

Interpreting Billy Martin's graphic scores

Paul Auster (spoken word) and Hal Willner (tape machines)

Reflections on the wandering mind, improvisation, and chance

Ensemble: Sirius Quartet (violins, viola, cello)

Performing Sam, My Morning Feldman, Stridulations, and Martin's graphic score

Throughout the three-day event, Stridulations for the Good Luck Feast, a “scentstallation” by Phaedra Martin that encompasses sound, visuals, and scent, is installed in the Drawing Room. In The Lab, Chaman, a 16mm film directed by Billy Martin and edited by Marco Franzoniplays on continuous loop.