JG Thirlwell has been commissioned by Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary to write a composition for the Morning Line, a public art structure in Vienna created by Matthew Ritchie. At eight meters high and twenty meters long and built of 20 tons of coated aluminum, the sculpture incorporates a 47 channel audio system, making it a platform for contemporary music and composition. So far 27 sound artists have contributed compositions, specially conceived for the pavilion’s architecture, which now fill the sonic landscape of Schwarzenbergplatz. JG was invited by guest curator, composer and head of Laton Records Franz Pomassl.
Thirlwell’s 38 minute piece, entitled “Euthenasia”, will premiere in Vienna on Sep 8 and 9 2012 and will take full advantage of the structure’s multi channel spatial amplification. Thirlwell will be in attendance and will perform along with the piece. The audience will experience the piece from within and outside the sculpture.The composition will be added to the existing archive of music and soundscapes selected by the previous guest curators.
There is also a version of the sculpture in Istanbul. Composers who have already composed pieces for the project include Christian Fennesz, Alexei Borisov, Bryce Dessner with Evan Ziporyn and David Sheppard, Ghostigital, Bruce Gilbert, Tommi Grönlund & Petteri Nisunen, Carl Michael von Hausswolff, Florian Hecker, Erdem Helvacıoğlu, Jónsi & Alex, Carsten Nicolai, Mehmet Can Özer, Zsolt Olejnik, Finnbogi Pétursson, Franz Pomassl, Lee Ranaldo, Terre Thaemlitz, Yasunao Tone, Chris Watson, Thom Willems, Jana Winderen, Zavoloka and Peter Zinovieff.