Naomi Even-Aberle, Shane Kiyoshi
Choreographing Energies
Sound installation
NFS

Choreographing Energies is an exploration that transcends the physical realm of martial arts, delving into the intricate relationship between movement and sound. This project takes the art of martial arts training beyond the visual and physical domains, aiming to capture and elevate the unseen energies at play. By isolating, collecting, and recording the sonic essence of martial arts—the very vibrations generated by actions like striking, blocking, kicking, and various bodily.

movements—this endeavor divorces the body from its conventional role as the sole generator of sound, giving rise to a unique auditory experience.

The project transforms the percussive and rhythmic vibrations inherent in martial arts into a mesmerizing symphony. The process involves meticulous recording and amplifying of the training sessions' energies. The nuanced sounds of fists meeting pads, the resonant echoes of a well-executed kick, and the rhythmic cadence of footwork all become raw materials for a sonic palette. Through careful curation, these captured energies are arranged and orchestrated to

create an immersive auditory landscape that mirrors the intensity, discipline, and harmony of martial arts.

This innovative approach amplifies the sonic dimensions of martial arts but also highlights the universal aspects of energy, movement, and rhythm. The resulting composition becomes a testament to the beauty and power of disciplined physicality, transcending the boundaries of traditional art forms.

Ultimately, Choreographing Energies seeks to redefine the boundaries of artistic expression by extracting the unseen forces at play in martial arts and translating them into an evocative auditory experience. This project stands as a testament to the transformative power of movement and sound, inviting audiences to engage with the rhythmic heartbeat of martial arts in a way that transcends the conventional boundaries of perception.

Artist Bio

Naomi Even-Aberle is an interdisciplinary artist who creates performance and video installations. They hold a B.A. in Fine Art from Northern State University; an MFA in Visual Arts from Vermont College of Fine Arts; and a Postgraduate certificate in Non-profit Governance from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice.

Even-Aberle's artistic inquiries are inspired by their martial arts community. They explore various aspects of the relationship between sport, gender, and the body with a particular focus on martial arts and combat sports.

As a martial artist, Even-Aberle sees movement as a way to make space—space for action, resistance, power, and exploring identity. Their artistic practice combines group discussions, journaling, interviews, performative elements inspired by my martial arts training, and interdisciplinary media processes such as sound, video, and experimental photography.

From 2017 through 2019, Even-Aberle participated in the National Art Strategies Creative Community Fellowship and the South Dakota Change Network Fellowship, where they designed a martial arts public health program titled Learning Full Circle. Starting in 2018, Even-Aberle began to show their works internationally; Loosen Art in Rome, Italy (2018, 2019), #NastyWomen in Amsterdam, Netherlands (2019), The Rural Shop in the United Kingdom (2020), and an artist residency at Cel del Nord in Barcelona, Spain (2021).