acceptance on suppendaneum label

sold out
release: 2016
label: Suppendaneum

1. Performed by Stefan Thut.

2. Performed by lo wie. Recorded by Ryu Hankil

3. Section 1: First realization. Version for one performer. Performed by Johnny Chang (viola and arrangement). Recorded by Johnny Chang. Section 2: Second realization. Version for live performance, two violas, and mono speaker.Performed by Johnny Chang (viola and arrangement) and Catherine Lamb (viola). Recorded by Adam Asnan

acceptance is a collection of three closely related scores—or rather, as Akama terms them, “proposals”—and their corresponding realizations. The use of this word, “proposal,” is deliberate and crucial. It makes clear that they are suggestions, put forward for consideration and exploration, rather than directives to be obeyed. Each is dedicated to a particular individual, and what each of these performers—Stefan Thut, lo wie, and Johnny Chang (accompanied by Catherine Lamb)—brings to Akama’s proposals is as crucial as what she offers them. The scores themselves occupy an ambiguous middle ground between drawing, poetry, writing, and instructions. Each utilizes a similar formal vocabulary of shaded boxes, arrows, numbers, and fragments of text, yet each varies from the others in subtle ways, and the question of how these elements are to be assembled and understood is left unresolved. Or, rather, it is left to the imagination and understanding of each performer. It speaks to Akama’s faith in her collaborators and her trust in their ability that so much is left for their elaboration. These evocative pieces are invitations to enter into a kind of intimacy, a relationship of equals conditioned on mutual respect. These are proposals in the fullest sense of the word, and it is up to the musicians who perform them—and those who listen—to refuse or to accept.

This release, presented together in a wooden veneer envelope, includes an archival CD-R containing realizations of each piece, one copy of each of the three proposals, and an additional informational sheet providing credits and track listing.