Rubber Time

The sonic performance by Taeyoon Kim and Pande Wardina is grounded in the exploration of hearing and listening, as inspired by Pauline Oliveros's : "Quantum Listening: From Practice to Theory (To Practice Practice)". This book unfolds a critical understanding of sound, it challenges the conventional concept of hearing and poses questions on the origin of sound and the process of listening. It prompts us to evaluate if we are creating the sounds we are listening to or alternately, if these sounds have created our listening. It suggests that there could be an element of co-creation between sound and consciousness.

According to Oliveros (1999), “What we hear depends on the angle at which our ear receives sound, how we listen depends on our consciousness”. This fosters the development of human values and promotes a culture of attentive listeners. It allows for an energetic exchange and vibrational tuning into the interconnected thoughts, feelings, and vital forces of our lives. Furthermore, it forms a basis for empathy, compassion, and love.

During his residency at the Desa residency in Bali, supported by ROH, Taeyoon Kim adopted the practice of field recording as facilitating an audio diary of his experiences. In a parallel approach, Pande Wardina immersed himself in his craft and found a contrasting element by intentionally hearing the silent components, and consequently, the serenity that exists in direct contrast with human-produced sounds.

The term "Rubber Time" encapsulates the theme we aim to express through our sonic performance. This phrase humorously critiques the flexible nature of time as perceived in Balinese norm, symbolised by the local concept of 'jam karet' or 'rubber time', which suggests that time can stretch and compress, much like rubber. Initially, this idea might seem frustrating as it feels like a loss of control over a fundamental aspect of time. However, observation and experience reveal a cultural calmness and an ingrained sense of relaxation that comes with this more fluid perception of time in Bali.

In the performance, we will revisit Taeyoon's field recordings capturing his unique experiences during his residency. These sounds, varying from the chatter of daily life to the serene whispers of nature. Through relistening, the details previously captured will be re-examined—perhaps a distant temple bell's resonance or the subtle murmur of a midnight rainforest—each with its own temporal signature. At the same time, Pande will interweave elements of sound reconstruction, reduction, and rediscovery. This performaces embodies their sonic travels, showcasing the power of sound, the overlooked importance of silence, the human audial perception, and time's flexibility.

Written by Krisna Sudharma

Presented by Desa X Nonfrasa X Roh