Simeon Nelson’s Plenum and Anarchy in the Organism exist as installation and concert-hall versions featuring live performers.  Partly owing to the algorithmic nature of both visual and musical components, the works can be adapted to available space, both inside (a concert-hall for instance) and outside (potentially site-specific).

Plenum has now been presented throughout the world with venues ranging from the Kick Arts Gallery in Cairns, Australia to iconic European structures such as Tallinna Raekoda, Tallinn, Estonia and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, UK

Plenum received major funding from the EU and the Artichoke Trust.

Anarchy in the Organism was produced as a result of a Wellcome Trust award to Simeon Nelson in 2011.  Initially created as a four-screen sound and video installation currently sited at the Cancer Centre, University College London Hospital, it also exists as a live concert-hall work written specifically for the clarinettist Kate Romano and the strings of the Goldfield Ensemble. Central to the concept is the idea of interruption, interference and disturbance. Musically, the work uses a rhythmic technique of shifting accelerando/rallentando effects that mimic the cycles of life. Breathing, tension and relaxation, physical and psychological time all come under the auspices of the technique.  Liveness, plus audience perception of performance when digital technology is a mediating factor, is also pivotal to Anarchy’s delivery.

Plenum and Anarchy in the Organism all share the artists’ interest and passion for arts and science.  Various scientists and theologians have collaborated with Simeon on the development of the concepts.  Owing to the works’ potential to be shown in a wide variety of venues and sites, they have confirmed audience figures of hundreds of thousands of people.

“The remarkable piece blends into one more new London building...  At night the effect is different. London stills and the sound becomes more intense.”

Huffington Post, Mellanie Hick, Huffington Post

Video Documentation

Opening to 02’40” - except of Plenum projected during the Lumiere, Durham, 2011

02’40” to 03’32” - two timelapse sequences of the video projection, King’s College, Cambridge 2012

03’32” to 04’44” - extract from the opening movement of the live version of Anarchy in the Organism (Eb Clarinet - Kate Romano)

For further information about live performances of these works, please contact Rob Godman and Kate Romano

Further details from Simeon Nelson’s site, Plenum and Anarchy in the Organism...