A SPACE ODYSSEY ABOVE AND BELOW GROUND

International Space Orchestra + Sigur Rós

24th SEPTEMBER 2016

Hollywood Bowl

2301 Highland Ave,

Los Angeles, California 90068

Doors 6:00 p.m. // Show 7:45 p.m.

Blending space science, planet-poking and bluegrass-playing spacecraft operators, the world’s first orchestra composed of space scientists – the International Space Orchestra (ISO) – is coming together to perform as the supporting act to Sigur Rós at the Hollywood Bowl on 24th September 2016, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

The International Space Orchestra (ISO) is an assembly of star-spangled space scientists from NASA Ames Research Center, Singularity University, International Space University and the SETI Institute. ISO is a production by ‘manufacturers of the impossible’ Nelly Ben Hayoun (NBH) Studios and, for this occasion, ISO will be performing covers of Sigur Rós’ songs. Of the performance, Ben Hayoun says: “It is inspired by our desire to understand the universe, and to rocket-propel our souls to further galaxies, rocking up the universe above and beyond.”

The ISO will perform with animated visuals inspired by the latest NBH studios and Dartmouth Films on-going production “The Life, the Sea and the Space Viking”. Beginning in the deepest depths of a prehistoric sea, and ending in the outermost reaches of a distant solar system, this project aims to unravel our “biological archeology”, merging the fields of astrobiology, terraforming and the research of extremophiles. This bold journey, spanning time and space, is exploring our ever-evolving world and the cosmic wonders of what lie beyond.

Come and join the ISO and Sigur Rós in an out of this world performance, a passage of time from the void to the full.

Sigur Rós:

World renowned Icelandic Post Rock Band, currently on tour. SIGUR RÓS consists of JÓN or (Jónsi) BIRGISSON (vocals, guitars), ORRI PÁLL DÝRASON (drums) and GEORG (Goggi) HOLM (bass). www.sigur-ros.co.uk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigur_R%C3%B3s

The International Space Orchestra:

The International Space Orchestra is the world’s first orchestra of space scientists. Blending space exploration and bassoons; planet-poking and bluegrass-playing spacecraft operators –the International Space Orchestra, is an experiential and hybrid research laboratory, where space scientists are implementing, deconstructing, performing, singing, mixing, modifying, and designing musical acts. It is a provocation to action: a call to imagine and disrupt future human relations to space science; to adapt space science to our creative needs.

The ISO previously performed with Beck, Damon Albarn and Bobby Womack, The Prodigy, Penguin Café, Japanese composer Maywa Denki and many more. In this tangential reality, your Flight Controller conducts arias and the Payload Officer works a baritone sax, while the Capsule Communicator is on the triangle and an astronaut on percussions. Following the rules of tragedy defined by the ancient Greeks, the International Space Orchestra chorus introduce the public to the emotional nuances of space science missions. Merging space, technology, design and rock, the ISO with Sigur Rós aims to reach the final frontier.

The International Space Orchestra is currently rehearsing with director and ISO creator Nelly Ben Hayoun, Two time Grammy-Award winner ISO musical director Evan Price and musical conductor Gordon Lustig at NASA Ames Research Center and the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute in California, USA.

www.internationalspaceorchestra.com

The Life, the Sea and the Space Viking:

Currently finishing its development phase, “The Life, the Sea and the Space Viking” is Nelly Ben Hayoun Studios and Dartmouth Films latest production. A Space Odyssey and Viking Saga 11km under the sea, documenting a submersible expedition and an encounter with our biological archeology. Merging the fields of astrobiology, terraforming and the research of extremophiles, the project is set for release in 2017. An expedition of uncharted territories, encompassing all scales of science, but also inspiring questions of humanity’s place in the universe, the project explores the science of space colonisation. The project features leading scientists at NASA and the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute and documents a submersible expedition – as we learn from life on Earth, how to create life on another planet. “The Life, the Sea and the Space Viking” follows NBH Studios latest feature film Disaster Playground. Disaster Playground premiered at SXSW 2015 and was selected as one of the six highlights of SXSW. Prior to Disaster Playground, NBH Studios assembled the International Space Orchestra. The ISO is still up and running at NASA Ames Research Center in California. The feature film about the project was recognized by international critique as a “masterpiece” (ICO), a ‘real achievement’ (DOMUS), “as thrilling as watching a rocket launch” and “Spine Tingling” (Guardian).

www.spaceviking.org

About the Hollywood Bowl:

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and plays host to the finest artists from all genres of music. It remains one of the best deals anywhere in Los Angeles; to this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many classical and jazz offerings. In February 2016, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the twelfth year in a row at the 27th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. For millions of music lovers across Southern California, the Hollywood Bowl is synonymous with summer.

HollywoodBowl.com

About the SETI Institute:

The SETI Institute is a multi-disciplinary, highly collaborative, research organization designed to explore, understand, and explain the origin, nature and prevalence of life in the universe utilizing expertise in fields ranging from astrophysics and planetary science to biology and social science, as well as computer science and signal detection. We have a passion not only for discovery, but also for sharing knowledge as scientific ambassadors to the public, the press, and the government. The SETI Institute is a distinguished partner for government agencies, academic institutions, and corporations around the world.

www.seti.org

Press Contacts

General inquiries, please contact us at admin@nellyben.com

USA and International  – Chloe McClellan, NBH Studios manager:  chloe@nellyben.com

Social media_ Darren Webb, NBH Studios PR officer: darren@nellyben.com

Hollywood Bowl – Lydia Fong, publicist: lfong@laphil.org

Press Images

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6qz7y01d4xjo5ov/AADhGVF8TTsM-V_jFbFlXDIoa?dl=0