Blur's Alex James to make soundscape at the Whitechapel

Gustav Holst took astrology as the basis for his orchestral Planets Suite 90 years ago; now Blur’s Alex James is using up-to-the-minute images of the solar system to inspire a live soundscape featuring homemade instruments for Art Plus Music.

New Landscapes, on March 31 at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London, draws on musician Alex James’ passionate interest in science and will use projections of space thanks to the collaboration of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

“Art exists to put form on the indeterminate, so does science,” said Alex, bass player with British band Blur. “They meet somewhere and where they do is music.”

His interest in space led Alex to participate in the ill-fated Beagle 2 project, which sent music by Blur to Mars on the probe craft in 2003. He has also made music with artist Damien Hirst and actor Keith Allen in Fat Les.

For New Landscapes, Alex has invited other musicians to join him using everyday objects as instruments to create a live harmonic score to the latest images of our solar system. He will also perform his latest single, Wigwam – a collaboration with pop star Betty Boo.

The aim of Art Plus Music, which is a ticketed event (at £20/15 concessions), is to raise funds for the Whitechapel’s pioneering education programme that works with children and community groups in one of the country’s poorest boroughs.

“Alex James is a true artist,” said Whitechapel Director Iwona Blazwick, “and in the spirit of the Whitechapel’s Art Plus event fuses together the worlds of art, music and science in what promises to be an extraordinary performance.”

Art Plus was launched in 2005 with Art Plus Dance, featuring choreographer Rafael Bonachela.

The performance will run from 8.30 to 11pm. Call 020 7522 7888 to book or email tickets@whitechapel.org.

Caroline Lewis

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