OUTER EAR RESIDENCY: Kikù Hibino Update from Utah
This fall, ESS takes a twist on the usual Outer Ear format which normally opens ESS’s Chicago studios to an artist for 2-4 weeks. In October 2021, ESS is sending sound artist Kikù Hibino to Utah for a month-long residency. Hosted in Salt Lake City by former Chicago artists Milad Mozari and Mitsu Salmon, Hibino will find inspiration, sounds and connection between the two cities for new work.
As part of his residency, Kikù is sharing frequent updates and musings from his travels. Today marks the first compilation of these entries on the ESS webpage, keep posted for more news from Kikù!
Learn ore about the Outer Ear Residency here.
October 9, 2021
Time flies and it's already been almost a week since I got here in Salt lake city. We've just got back from 3 nights camping from Zion national park. Mitsu guided us, and I had a chance to do field recordings of water, wind, or the ground vibration using Milad's audio equipment: Geophone, Hydrophone, and shotgun. Thank you, Milad !!!
I can't say anything but thank you for their warm welcome, thoughtfulness and kindness on so many levels!
I also visited Milad's class 2 times this week. By the way, it's an awesome multimedia class with a high level of student commitment.
I started organizing the photo and video I took since my departure, and I'll share the first one here in the email. It's a timelapse of me riding an airplane with an original sound track, haha.
More is coming.
October 12, 2021
Today I've moved to airbnb. Airbnb is nice and conveniently located. Thank you all for making this stay possible !
Having said that, it was a mixed emotion to leave Milad and Mitsu's cosy house. What they offered me, from University classes to Zion camping, or a dinner conversation with listening to old synthesizer vinyl, and other every small things.... fun jokes, awkward magic...etc, etc, these were irreplaceable beautiful memories to me.
I lost my friend from Salt Lake City, but this city also gave me a new friendship with Milad and Mitsu, which is filled with joy. I cannot say anything but thank you all, everyone of you in this message !
Today, despite of his research trip, Milad has been making stereo speakers arrangement for my production with his University colleague. I really appreciated his thoughtfulness and effort to get me a better pair of speakers. Thanks, Milad !!! Mitsu help me to load and carry my suitcases, equipments to the new place. She even took me to Japanese grocery store ! (photo attached.) It was fun to chat with owner about Chicago and sound art. Thank you, Mitsu !!!
Milad and Mitsu will be out of town this week. I'll focus on production and will explore the Utah landscape again this weekend.