Experience

What We’re About

MUSIC

Big Ears will continue to push musical boundaries with unique collaborations, spontaneous new work and alternative intimate venues.  With Terry Riley as Artist in Residence and Bryce Dessner as a curator, the possibilities are endless.  In addition, the wide variety of artists from the Calder Quartet to Bang on a Can All-Stars and the 802 Tour will provide an unprecedented experience. Expect the unexpected.

ART, FILM, and CULTURE

Compelling visual art, design, and film are integral to the Big Ears experience.   From custom collectible festival posters to imaginative and evocative stage design, Big Ears is a visual as well as aural delight.  This year, Big Ears will expand its offering of art shows and installations, featuring imaginative and engaging work by world renown artists.  Film will also play an increased role this year, with both new and classic works to be presented during the festival. A number of films by the innovative film-maker Bruce Conner, featuring soundtracks by Terry Riley, will be screened at the KMA.   Conner worked in multiple mediums and often combined collage, prints, tapestries, and film in a single piece. He often incorporated found footage into his films as a way of dealing with media and its effects on culture and society as a subject. Several musical performances will also incorporate film into their presentations.

EDUCATION and INTERACTION
One of the most exciting and enjoyable aspects of Big Ears is the opportunity for audiences to hear musicians, artists, and others discuss their work, the work of others, the worlds of music and art, technology, and our changing world.   Through talks, question and answer sessions, workshops, and one-on-one chats, Big Ears artists and audiences will have unique occasions to interact with one another and learn about the ideas and technologies behind the music, the art, and the people making it.

The Big Ears Hub

Throughout the festival weekend, the Big Ears Hub, powered by Toyota Knoxville will be a hub of interaction and exchanges and is located on the 5th floor of the Woodruff Building. This will be the headquarters for the Bob Moog Foundation’s interactive MoogLab, as well as the festival’s information booth and much, much more. Be sure to come by throughout the weekend and see what’s going on.

MOOGLAB AT BIG EARS
The Big Ears Interactive labs and workshops (located at the Big Ears Hub) give festival attendees opportunities to work directly with artists in workshop settings as well as to directly experience new instruments and technologies.  Last year’s festival included the Robert Moog Foundation’s experiential lab, a session creating homemade electronic instruments with pioneer Nicholas Collins, and Deep Listening workshops with legendary composer Pauline Oliveros.

Ampient Cafe

Improvised, quiet, ambient sets performed by the local free-floating music collective Ampient Music will be happening at Old City Java on Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the festival. The following is the current schedule:

Saturday
11:00am-1:00pm
3:00pm-5:00pm

Sunday
11:00am-1:00pm
3:00pm-5:00pm

These will be improvised quiet, ambient sets performed by local musicians.