Citizen Band inspires at WA Art Gallery

On my way out from seeing the Brett Whiteley exhibition at the WA Art Gallery I was lured into an insignificant looking exhibition called Citizens Band in the Screen Space.

Citizen Band © The Ponder Room

Screen Space is an evolving exhibition. At the moment the space has been taken over with Citizens Band by Angelica Mesiti. Her ‘band’ is made up of four individual performances by migrant musicians who draw on their homeland cultures.

When you walk into the darkness you find four enormous screens arranged in an inward-looking box. Sitting inside the square you’re immersed by images and sounds as each of the four short pieces play out one after the other.

The first, Geraldine Zongo from Cameroon, standing in a Paris swimming pool. With no instruments in sight she starts thumping her hands on the water’s surface to punch out a rhythmic bet.

Next blind Algerian Mohammed Lamourie, standing up in the doorway of a Paris train. Soon the passengers are enthralled with the beautiful melody being tapped out on a Casio keyboard he holds against his shoulder.

Citizen Band © The Ponder Room

Then the aways inspiring Mongolian throat singing, this time from Bukhchuluun Ganburged as he sits alone on a Sydney street corner.

Citizen Band © The Ponder Room

Last Asim Goreshi sitting in his Brisbane cab whistling a Sudanese tune to himself. Such a simple instrument used in a beguiling way.

Citizen Band © The Ponder Room

Lastly all four pieces meld together into a heartfelt refrain as geometric shapes roam around all four screens finalising the connection.

The whole thing was so inspiring and relaxing that I ended up watching it twice and I wasnt the only one.

There was such a lot to ponder about while sitting alone in the dark …

1. What a wonderful way to relax on a Sunday afternoon.
2. It was fascinating to see how Mohammed’s train companions reacted. No one complained, no one got in his way, no one tried to get him thrown off the train. This alone was heart-warming.
3. Maybe music has a place in reducing prejudice.

For more information about what’s coming  up on the Screen Space go to the AGWA.