Portable Komuso Temple Compositions

Brian Ritchie and his shakuhachi. Photo by Ken Hanson.

As part of Performing Mobilities, a program of experimental arts activities that reimagine the act of moving, Violent Femmes bassist Brian ‘Tairaku’ Ritchie rolls into MPavilion—on a convertible bike-temple designed by architect Stuart Tanner—for two intimate performances on his shakuhachi, or Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. Acknowledging the komusō (Zen mendicant monks) tradition of transitory wandering between temples, Brian and Stuart will set up a temporary performance zone under AL_A’s canopy, playing with its materiality and transforming it into their own temple space. Brian’s improvisations—based on the ‘So’ form of traditional shakuhachi compositions—will explore the intersection of space, sound, movement and experience, creating ephemeral moments that infuse an ancient wisdom into our modern-day urban condition.

Join us in our makeshift Zen temple at 2.30pm on Saturday 10 October and 11am on Sunday 11 October—and click here to find out where else Brian and Stuart will roam during the Performing Mobilities program.