Matt’s Gallery and Dilston Grove present the second in a new series of co-productions Cantata Profana by Matt Stokes.

The exhibition runs parallel with a new commission of work at Matt’s Gallery, Madman in a Lifeboat (1 April–24 May 2015). The presentation of both works across east and south London this spring marks the culmination of Stokes’ year-long Bartlett fellowship*.

Cantata Profana is a six screen video and sound installation focusing on the physicality of extreme metal vocalists and the ability of their voices to immerse a listener and transcend both the individual performer and group.

Cantata Profana takes the form of an amphitheatre of video projections pre- senting a new musical composition, created in partnership with British com- poser Orlando Gough, artist and musician Tim Kerr and six grindcore vocalists. Cantata Profana interweaves extreme metal music culture with clas- sical choral traditions, to create an unexpected union. The intense sounds and body movements of the vocalists, together with the backdrop of the out- dated German Democratic Republic radio studio in which the piece was filmed, all contribute to the atmosphere of this unique and enveloping work.

Stokes’ practice has developed from a long-standing enquiry into events and beliefs that shape people’s lives and identities. Music – its history, sub- cultures and socio-political effects often provides the catalyst for researching and forming collaborative relationships with musicians, writers, actors, com- posers and communities, bringing together their interests, knowledge and skills in potentially conflicting situations. By exploring the resulting ex- changes of ideas, the final outcomes challenge our assumptions and under- standing about specific scenes or chosen ways of living.

The vocalists featured in Cantata Profana include: Anders Bakke (She Said Destroy, Norway), Chris Butterworth (Kastrated, UK), Dente (Rompeprop, Netherlands), Alex Hughes (Hatred Surge, USA), Alex Jockel (Krupskaya, UK), Der Kurt (Paroxysm, Germany).

Cantata Profana is presented in association with Forma Arts

Matt Stokes is represented by Lüttgen, Cologne, Workplace Gallery, Gateshead and ZieherSmith, New York.

The piece was originally commissioned by Kunsthalle Fridericianum, Germany, produced by Forma Arts with support from De Hallen Haarlem, Netherlands and Arts Council England. It has been exhibited at Kunsthalle Fridericianum, Kassel; De Hallen Haarlem and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead.