Maria Chávez New Zealand Shows Announced

Peru-born abstract turntablist, conceptual artist, DJ and writer, Maria Chávez is heading to Aotearoa this month for two special events in Auckland and Wellington. A multi-disciplinary artist renowned for her experiential gallery installations, mixes and publications, Chávez's improvisatory performances focus on the materiality of her vinyl and turntable medium to conjure thought-provoking new worlds of sound. Co-presented by local experimental lynchpins Audio Foundation and Sound Explorers, Chávez' shows will take place at the former's super-city underground music hub with support from Dunedin-based sonic innovator Smith, while the capital's event will scale the heavenly heights of the Pyramid Club, with support from local noiseniks UMU and Campbell James Kneale. Check out the details here...

Maria Chávez
Wednesday 19th December - Pyramid Club, Wellington w/ UMU and Campbell James Kneale (turntable set)
Thursday 20th December - Audio Foundation, Auckland w/ Smith
Tickets available HERE via UTR

Watch a fantastic clip of Chávez explaining her experimental turntable practice...

Check out an illuminating interview with Chávez shedding light on her process...

Press release:

Audio Foundation and Sound Explorers are pleased to announce two very special shows for Peru via NYC abstract turntablist, conceptual artist and DJ, Maria Chávez.

Chávez’ turntable performances are largely improvisatory, combining recorded sounds from the vinyl itself with electroacoustic sounds of vinyl and needle in various deteriorating phases to build unique sound worlds. Much thought is given to each individual place she inhabits; her conceptual sound installation practice tends to be site-specific, allowing each space to highlight it’s own sonic qualities.

As a conceptual artist, Chávez’ solo exhibitions are often interactive, ranging from spatial sound presentations to turning an entire art space into a gigantic string instrument for the audience to perform. As a DJ, Maria has shared her expansive music collection of techno and house music alongside iconic electronic musicians and DJ’s like; Simian Mobile Disco, Demdike Stare, Powell and DJ Marcelle. Her DJ mixes can be heard via her Soundcloud page along with DJing for radio spots at the Lot Radio (Brooklyn, NY), NTS radio, NNWR (New New World Radio) Moscow and more.

Her instructional book of essays and illustrations, OF TECHNIQUE: Chance Procedures on Turntable, was published in 2012. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at HeK – haus der elektronischen Künste-Basel, The Brooklyn Museum of Art, and The Getty Museum.