The Antenna Repairmen is a highly original percussion trio that incorporates a distinctive blend of music, art, performance and poetry. The group will present a performance and discussion of Ghatam, a unique work named for the South Indian clay-pot drum. Inspired by Afro-Latin and Hindustani traditions and the pattern-based techniques of American minimalism, Ghatam was composed for custom-made ceramic instruments created by sculptor Stephen Freedman. The Antenna Repairmen composed Ghatam individually as well as through collective improvisation. While much of the work is precisely notated, a considerable amount of improvisation and spontaneity occurs throughout the performance. 

Percussionists Arthur Jarvinen, Robert Fernandez and M.B. Gordy founded the Antenna Repairmen in 1978 while graduate students at the California Institute of the Arts. In addition to doing conventional concert performances, the Repairmen have created the music for numerous site-specific works in collaboration with Heidi Duckler’s Collage Dance Theatre. Most recently, they provided a live soundtrack for Louis Hock’s film Southern California, presented at the Getty Center.

For further information on this event:
visionsandvoices@usc.edu