17 years ago I was injured in a car accident. The car in which I was riding crashed into a tree and I sustained a severe brain injury. As expected, the tree survived with only a little dent.
After a period of unconsciousness, I woke up into an unknown world. A whole new horizon opened up for me. Nothing was familiar and I began constructing my new existence. In medical terms I began a series of treatment; physical therapy, cognitive therapy, ocular therapy, and many other fancy names for therapies.
For me it was a journey of discoveries.
I refused to stay in a wheelchair.
I knew I would walk one day.
I knew that I will make music again.
Drops of Consciousness is the proof. This series of musical performances are the documentary of my new beautiful world. They document the mysterious and hidden worlds I discovered after the injury. The doors that were opened to me because of this unexpected collision with a tree revealed secrets and surprises I would not have been able to discover otherwise. A new perception of time and space. New sensitivity to sound, smells, colours and shapes. Love and touch became different and more meaningful. All that was labelled as "deficits" became the new building blocks of my new me.
I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE INJURY.
The first two chapters in this series went deep into the periods of waking up, discovering what real breathing is and the quest for the meaning of language and verbal communication. In all the performances I used texts and poems I wrote throughout the years after my injury.
I was asked for so many times why I do not write a book about my recovery. I can not imagine how words could express the brightness of my inner crystal. Each performance makes it brighter and more precious. Music is limitless in its ability to express emotions. It is way better than words.
Part III in this series, which will be performed in June 1st 2010 at Roulette (20 Green Street New York City) is not as dark as the previous parts. Instead it is a celebration of my livelihood and happiness, of my confidence to flow freely in space in spite of my crutches, of my trust in my friends to be there when in need, and of being open to touch and to love.
For many years I have been fascinating with stone eggs. Lately I placed them on the piano strings and found a new and unbelievable beautiful sound world. I combine my love for electronic music with live music.
All my three performances resulted from collaborations with other wonderful artists.
In the first two performances I combined video and music. The third performance however combines movement and music. In a way it is more personal and intimate. It is a more explicit and lucid composition. The singer, Thomas Buckner, sings and reads words that are clear and loud. I used to be afraid of it, but now find it beautiful. There are also humorous parts. When your world is not in synch with the "real" world, funny things happen.
I invite you to join me in this celebration of life
June 1st 2010
Roulette: 20 Green Street, NYC
http://www.roulette.org/events/event.php/GUY10
