A Hidden Order: Solos, Duos, Trios

Date: May 26, 2018 - May 27, 2018, 02:00PM, 04:00PM
Price: Free. Tickets will be issued outside the main doors on a first-come, first-served basis outside the auditorium doors 1 hour prior to the event time.

What would pattern sound like if interpreted as a rhythm or melody? How would music look if transposed into the visual realm?

This performance features leading UK musicians Philippe Barnes (flute, whistles), Attab Haddad (oud, percussion), and Lee Westwood (guitar, percussion) performing alongside geometrist Sama Mara. Bringing together influences from the worlds of Celtic, Arabic, and contemporary classical music, their sounds blend composition with cutting-edge improvisation in a breathtaking reimagining of the worlds of musical tradition and innovation.

A Hidden Order reveals the bonds between art and music, merging the worlds of traditional Islamic Art and contemporary western compositions. Previously exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery, SCOPE Miami, and Abu Dhabi Art, this unique award-winning project takes multiple forms: a collection of artworks, a video installation, and an interactive platform — all of which were initially installed in the auditorium lobby as part of the Museum’s Listening to Art, Seeing Music experience — as well as a live audio-visual performance.

This performance is free for all to enjoy as part of the Aga Khan Museum’s Door Open 2018 programming.

Bios:
Sama Mara is an award-winning artist specialising in geometric patterns. He studied Traditional Arts at the Prince's School of Traditional Arts, London where he graduated with a Master of Arts in 2010. Having trained in traditional geometry, he pursued his own research into areas of contemporary mathematics, including aperiodic tiling and fractal mathematics. The combination of these practices enabled him to create his unique method of translating music into art, which is the foundation of his celebrated project A Hidden Order, made in collaboration with composer Lee Westwood.

Lee Westwood is a guitarist and composer whose wide-ranging output stems from a long-term tenacity for musical exploration. Described by the Musician’s Union organization as “one of the UK’s most exciting and versatile musicians,” Lee produces work ranging from the geometry-music crossover of his multimedia exhibition A Hidden Order, to a vast back-catalogue of works for solo guitar; from headlining festival stages with hip-hop groups and progressive folk acts, to commissions and performances from some of the UK’s leading soloists, ensembles, and choirs.

Attab Haddad is an oud player, composer, and founder of the Attab Haddad Ensemble. Studying various traditions under renowned virtuoso Naseer Shamma in Cairo and Yurdal Tokcan in Istanbul, Haddad exhibitions an innovative approach to the instrument, drawing from Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, and contemporary composition. Haddad has collaborated with artists across many genres, and has toured his music extensively across the UK, Europe, the US, and the Middle East. His recent album, Distinctive Days, is available through Weave Records.

Philippe Barnes is a UK-based flutist, whistle player, and composer. He is a three-time runner up in the BBC Young Folk Awards, and has toured internationally with acts including London-Irish band CrossHarbour, the David Munnelly Band, the Attab Haddad Ensemble, guitarist Lee Westwood, and the Celtic Jazz-Funk group, All Jigged Out. Throughout his career, Barnes has performed with renowned artists including Shakira, Amy Dickson, Bryn Terfel, and the Proclaimers.