Artist Residency NO MANS LAND French Embassy Tokyo 2009

“No Mans Land”

Curated by Hélène Kelmachter
2009-2010
The French Embassy Tokyo

ARTIST IN RESIDENCY + EXHIBITION AT THE FRENCH EMBASSY BEFORE ITS DESTRUCTION

4 month artist in residency/exhibition

Skepper was invited to transform the military offices of the French Embassy headquarters, creating a multifunctional artist space for the purpose of his residency. The “baroque inspired” art salon housed live performances, site-specific sound-art installations, functioned as an experimental recording studio and artist atelier for composition, experimentation and collaborative artistic creation.

AN ARTISTIC LEGACY CULMINATING IN PARNASSUS: SKEPPER’s SECOND SOLO ALBUM

Skepper’s 2010 album “Parnassus” stands as a remarkable testament to artistic innovation and cultural provocation. Created during his residency at the French Embassy in Tokyo, “NO MAN’S LAND” this project pushed the boundaries of conventional music production and challenged industry norms in several compelling ways:

1. Unconventional Recording Space: Skepper chose to record the album in the military headquarters of the French Embassy, a space not typically associated with artistic creation. This decision transformed a symbol of diplomatic and military power into a site of cultural production, blurring the lines between institutional spaces and artistic venues.2
2. Cultural Diplomacy Through Art: By creating music in this politically charged environment, Skepper engaged in a form of cultural diplomacy, using art to bridge gaps between nations and ideologies. This aligns with many arts funders’ goals of promoting international understanding and cooperation through creative expression.
3. Challenging Industry Norms: Recording in a non-traditional space was a deliberate provocation against music industry norms. It questioned the necessity of professional studios and highlighted the potential for creating high-quality art in unexpected environments. This approach resonates with funders interested in supporting artists who push against established practices.
4. Site-Specific Creation: The unique acoustics and atmosphere of the military headquarters inevitably influenced the sound and mood of the album. This site-specific approach to music creation demonstrates Skepper’s ability to respond creatively to his environment, a quality highly valued in residency programs.
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The project involved collaboration with embassy staff, video makers, fashion designers and curators,, showcasing Skepper’s ability to work across disciplines and borders. This interdisciplinary approach breaks down silos between different fields.
6. Political Commentary Through Art: By choosing such a politically charged location, Skepper’s work implicitly commented on the relationship between art, politics, and power: socially relevant art.
7. Innovative Use of Resources: Skepper’s ability to transform an unconventional space into a recording studio illustrates deep resourcefulness and creativit
8. Cultural Exchange: As an Australian artist creating work in a French diplomatic space in Japan, Skepper embodied the spirit of international cultural exchange, promoting global artistic dialogue.
9. Challenging Perceptions of Space: By recontextualizing a military space as an artistic one, Skepper invited listeners to reconsider the potential uses and meanings of institutional environments. This type of perception-shifting work speaks to the artists ability to create thought-provoking projects.
10. Documentation of a Unique Moment: The album serves as a permanent record of this unusual confluence of art, politics, and place, creating a lasting legacy from a temporary residency as the Embassy building was then demolished by developers. Long-term cultural impact and a true legacy.

Link to second solo album “Parnassus”.

Live Performance Art Project – Music vs Couture

Skepper vs Suzuki – emerging Japanese couturier Michiko Suzuki (ex Yohji Yamamoto) responded to improvised soundscapes  to re-construct a garment from scrap military clothing over a series of 2 hour live performance collaborations.