WOVEN SOUNDS (IRAN, TURKEY)
MUSIC THAT ACCOMPANIES CARPET WAVING
A PERFORMANCE COMBINING THE ART OF MUSIC WIT THE ART OF WAVING CARPETS
A tradition of handmade carpets in Iran has been connected with the unique style of work songs and chants that create the culture of waving. They are called Naqshe Khani – Pattern Singing. It’s not just filling the time during monotonous work, it’s an exact manual or music pattern form creating the carpet without mistakes.
The aim of the project Woven Sounds by musician and ethnomusicologist Mehdi Amini is to explore and record this endangered intangible cultural heritage of Iranian regions. Mehdi’s experimental approach combines the beautiful music and virtuosity of the musician with the art of carpet weaving on the stage. An Iranian weaver and singer Maryam Sadat Abtahi is a member of the ensemble. Tohid Vahid, an extraordinary Kamanche violin player, excellent harpist Şirin Pancaroğlu and percussionist Joss Turnbull are a part of the quintet at the concert.
