LOUNGE /
MUSIC
March 3, 2015
MUSIC | Kyowa Hakko Kirin's "10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCE" Vol. 7 "Place" by Open Reel Ensemble
MUSIC | Project by Kyowa Kirin, a research-driven life science company
10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCE: Musicians give auditory form to ten themes
Vol. 7 “Place” by Open Reel Ensemble
10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCEis a web content project by the research-driven life science company Kyowa Kirin, designed to make its business more accessible by expressing its characteristics through music. The seventh theme is “Place,” with the work created by Open Reel Ensemble.
Text by IWANAGA Morito (OPENERS)
A vista expanding from a point of origin
Kyowa Kirin's headquarters are located in Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, a prime business district and the heart of Japan's economy. This area, nestled between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station, is home to numerous corporate headquarters, with skyscrapers lining the streets.
From this vibrant location, Otemachi, Kyowa Kirin connects a network of domestic and global bases, contributing to the health and prosperity of people worldwide as a global specialty pharma originating in Japan.
The theme for the seventh installment of 10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCE is “Place.” The music was produced by Open Reel Ensemble. Comprised of five members, Open Reel Ensemble is a project that docks vintage reel-to-reel tape recorders with modern computers, playing them as “instruments.” They are active both domestically and internationally. For this project, they undertook field recordings in Otemachi, where Kyowa Kirin's headquarters are situated. Their compositional process, which elevates the act of recording sound, even during live performances, into performance art, is exceptionally unique. This process has been captured on film along with an interview.
The resulting track is titled “Otemachi Recording Ensemble.” Each member departs from a different location, converging on Kyowa Kirin's headquarters. The sound constructed from these recordings transcends even the fundamental principles of music. On the 10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCE webpage, their music is currently available for streaming on SoundCloud, with a limited-time download option for one month.
Vol. 7 “Place” by Open Reel Ensemble
http://www.kyowa-kirin.co.jp/10_sounds/artist/open_reel_ensemble
＜About 10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCE＞
10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCE is a project by Kyowa Kirin, a research-driven life science company dedicated to observing and engaging with life, which collaborates with ten artists to weave ten musical pieces from ten perspectives. This organic endeavor is delivered through beautiful sound. Driven by the passion and aspiration to become “the world's most life-friendly company,” Kyowa Kirin leverages cutting-edge biotechnology, centered on antibody technology, to create groundbreaking new drugs and contributes to the health and prosperity of people worldwide through its global expansion. This initiative is produced by artless Inc., led by art director/artist Shun Kawakami.
10 SOUNDS OF LIFE SCIENCE
http://www.kyowa-kirin.co.jp/10_sounds/
Open Reel Ensemble
Formed in 2009 around Nagai Wada, with Toshitomo Sato, Takumi Nanba, Yu Yoshida, and Tadashi Yoshida joining to form the group. The project involves docking vintage reel-to-reel tape recorders with modern computers and playing them as “instruments.” The ensemble creates music using sounds recorded in real-time onto tape, manipulated by controlling the reel rotation and operation via hand or computer. Their live performances have garnered high acclaim, with appearances at Sonar TOKYO, Sense of Wonder, KAIKOO, and BOYCOTT RHYTHM MACHINE. Internationally, they have performed at SONAR 2011 Barcelona and ARS ELECTRONICA (in Linz, Austria).
