For this rare Chicago solo performance, Ikue Mori will perform her audio-visual work Nymphs, witches, and fairies.

"Ikue Mori used her laptop to play quick, quiet sounds — like a slapstick routine at a flea circus."—New York Times

Ikue Mori moved from her native city of Tokyo to New York in 1977. She started playing drums and soon formed the seminal NO WAVE band DNA, with fellow noise pioneers Arto Lindsay and Tim Wright. DNA enjoyed legendary cult status, while creating a new brand of radical rhythms and dissonant sounds; forever altering the face of rock music.

In the mid 80’s Ikue started in employ drum machines in the unlikely context of improvised music. While limited to the standard technology provided by the drum machine, she has never the less forged her own highly sensitive signature style.

Throughout in 90’s she collaborated with numerous improvisors throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, while continuing to produce and record her own music. In 1998 she was invited to perform with Ensemble Modern as the soloist along with Zeena Parkins, and composer Fred Frith, also "One hundred Aspects of the Moon" commissioned by Roulette/Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust. Ikue won the Distinctive Award for Prix Ars Electronics Digital Music category in '99.

In the last decade or so, Ikue started using the laptop computer to expand on her already signature sound, thus broadening her scope of musical expression. She was commissioned by the KITCHEN ensemble, wrote and premired the piece “Aphorism,” and was also awarded Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship. She was commissioned by RELACHE Ensemble, as well, to write a piece for film In the Street and premiered in Philadelphia.

Starting 20014, Ikue has integrated visuals into her work. Additional awards and recognitions include the Alphert/Ucross Residency, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts grant, a commission from the Tate Modern, and a 30-years-in-NY celebration at the Japan Society. Recent commissioners include the Montalvo Arts Center and SWR German radio program. Current working groups include MEPHISTA with Sylvie Courvoisier and Susie Ibarra, PHANTOM ORCHARD with Zeena Parkins, KIBYOSHI project with Koichi Makigami and Mark Nauseef and various ensembles with John Zorn.

Ikue Mori's Chicago appearance is supported by the Sound Department of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.