Musarc: Locating Research The Centre for Creative Arts, Cultures and Engagement (CREATURE)

About this event

CREATURE Lab is an on-demand laboratory to pitch and test ideas for further research development. It aims to provide a collegial platform to rehearse and/or seek feedback for a research presentation, practice and publication. It brings together a researcher and participants to explore a research idea and/or project through show and tell. The interactive lab is decided for the presenter to experiment a preconceived project for further study and/or examine matters related to research development and collaboration.

In this CREATURE Lab, Joseph Kohlmaier discussed the ways in which choral ensemble Musarc’s performance practice and working methodology could be defined as research. How can research embedded in Musarc’s work – particularly in the context of urban regeneration and broader curatorial commissions (see e.g. Guardian, July 2023) – be consolidated, disseminated, and shared? What kind of research framework would enable the choir to broaden its audience, attract research partners and funding?

Musarc is one of the UK’s foremost experimental choirs. Founded by Joseph Kohlmaier at the School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University in 2008, the ensemble has developed a distinct reputation for its interdisciplinary and research-led approach to music and performance, and the space it affords artists and singers to experiment with new ideas. Since its inception, the choir has collaborated with more than one hundred artists and composers, and numerous arts organisations in the UK and abroad, including Artangel, Northampton Contemporary Arts, London Contemporary Music Festival, Palais de Tokyo, Serpentine Gallery, MK Gallery, Wysing Polyphonic, Cafe OTO and Whitechapel Gallery to name but a few.

 is Associate Teaching Professor in Critical and Contextual Studies at the School Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University. He is the founder of Musarc and has acted as Artistic Director of the ensemble since 2008. Joseph’s interdisciplinary practice, which brings together performance, research and teaching, curatorial projects, design, and publishing, has been a driving force in the development of the choir and the foundation of its open, experimental and research-led approach. Joseph is also a founding director of graphic design practice Polimekanos (2001–2020) and runs independent imprint Cours de Poétique.