OCM's Autumn 2006 series of events was the fruit of the imaginiation and skill of musicians, composers, artists and filmakers from over a dozen countries, from Iceland to Cuba.
Within each of them was a sense of exploration and ingenuity. The artists who brought you Power Plant in the Botanic Garden collaborated with cult Birmingham band Pram in The Photophonic Experiment, Introducing us to rare sonic illusions and perilous auditory diversions. The abundance of inspiring new music from the north accounts for the bias towards this part of the world this season, with jazz from Sweden, Noray and Finland and an evening of evocative music and art from Iceland's Kitchen Motors. Meanwhile our cafe concerts at MAO celebrated the fresh and exciting new talent that exists in many genres of the UK music world.
Picture: The Photophonic Experiment
Fivearts Cities was a project set up by Arts Council England and Five (TV). Its aim was to spotlight the arts in the great cities of England and 2006 was the turn of Oxford. It started in June 2006 with Five's remarkable TV series based in Blackbird Leys, The Singing Estate. In Autumn 2006 OCM helped to organise and coordinate a huge range of projects across the city to encourage and enable people to get involved in music. There was a new guide to Oxford's vibrant music scene, and a series of debates, talks, concerts, workshops and courses. Information on some of the events are available on the Fivearts Cities website www.five.tv/programmes/fiveartscities.
OCM's own education and outreach programme took artists featured in the series to community groups and schools across Oxfordshire. For more information in this area of our work see the Fivearts Cities area of our website or contact the office on 01865 488369.
Jo Ross, Director
