A true gift – musician-composer Eiko Ishibashi and filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi collaborate for this live cinematic experience
Prepare to embark on a cinematic journey like no other as the Australian premiere of GIFT takes centre stage at the GOMA this April. This groundbreaking audiovisual collaboration between musician-composer Eiko Ishibashi and celebrated filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi promises an immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of sound, image and narrative.
Presented as part of Asia Pacific Triennial Cinema: Ryusuke Hamaguchi, the performances on April 24 and 26 will feature a live soundtrack by Eiko Ishibashi, perfectly complementing Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s silent film, GIFT.
The seeds of this innovative project were sown following Eiko and Ryusuke’s collaboration on the critically acclaimed Drive My Car (2021). Seeking to create a unique performance piece, Eiko invited Ryusuke to craft visuals that would accompany her live performance. What emerged was an intriguing concept – Ryusuke decided to create a film with dialogue to begin with, subsequently turning it into a silent film for the live performance. The project resulted in two distinct yet intertwined creations – the live score film performance GIFT and the feature film Evil Does Not Exist (2023).
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GIFT is an ever-evolving cinematic experience, where Eiko’s improvised live score becomes a dynamic, integral part of Ryusuke’s visuals. As the music shifts and adapts in real time, it creates a one-of-a-kind performance each time it is presented. The event challenges the audience to rethink the interplay between sound and image, inviting them into a space where the boundaries between traditional cinema and live performance are blurred.
GOMA will be hosting two live performances of GIFT in Cinema A – on Thursday April 24 at 6:00 pm, and Saturday April 26 at 3:00 pm. You can also catch Eiko Ishibashi In Conversation with producer Satoshi Takata on Sunday April 27 at 1:30 pm, moderated by artist, composer and curator Lawrence English. For more information on this gift of a weekend and to book tickets, head to the QAGOMA website.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at QAGOMA.