New York composer Phil Kline created the multi-track electronic piece “Unsilent Night” to be an auditory sculpture. It began in 1992 with the idea for a participatory public artwork combined with the element of holiday caroling. Each participant in the event selects one of four tracks that compose “Unsilent Night,” then everyone hits play at the same time and parades through town, resulting in a shifting composition that sounds a little different to every ear in the crowd. The tradition began in Greenwich Village, but in the three decades since, parades have happened in 173 cities across five continents, with Athens participating since 2011. Though it started out with boomboxes and cassette tapes, participants are invited to bring any audio device to the parade to become a part of the artwork. Boomboxes are still ideal for the nostalgia, but people also commonly use alternative systems like smartphones or MP3 players paired with bluetooth speakers.
WHO: Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Little Kings Shuffle Club
HOW MUCH: FREE!
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