PERFORMANCE ART REVIEW : RAWCLIFFE, CLINE IN ‘SOUND STORIES’

The inherent inability of woodwinds and percussion to blend sets up fascinating problems and possibilities that were explored at length by Susan Rawcliffe and Alex Cline in their thoughtful program of music-based performance art, “Sound Stories,” Thursday in the Gallery Theater of Barnsdall Art Park.

After an introduction in which Rawcliffe’s chirpy ocarina contrasted with Cline’s bright gong washes, “Untitled” introduced layers of changing wind and percussion music that accompanied Jim Grant’s moody, multilayered slide projections.

Grant’s night cityscapes and nature views (often overlaid with moving panoramas of graffiti-esque scratches, color-negative friezes and shining sprocket holes) reduced familiar objects to patterns of disembodied light or isolated textures. In the same way, the music often clanged and squealed with an intensity akin to Grant’s neon projections and then buzzed and clicked in passages of almost non-musical sound effects.

“The King of All the Birds and the Bear” featured more specific correspondences. Indeed, the text (taken from the Brothers Grimm and spoken by Rawcliffe) was enhanced rather like the narration in “Peter and the Wolf,” with each animal acquiring a distinct drum theme. Big duets (a march for birds and beasts, a triumphal bird party) inserted at major junctures in the plot showcased Rawcliffe (on flute) and Cline’s virtuosity.

Although percussionist Ron George and Cline joined her in the jaunty finale, “Ancient Beasts” primarily involved Rawcliffe’s ability to play the didjeridu (a long, unwieldy pipe with a sound halfway between wheezing and low burping) and dance at the same time.

Limber but rudimentary in her sense of shape as a dancer, Rawcliffe executed slow turns, sharp stamps, taut one-arm reaches, birdlike arm-flapping and even smooth reclining motions without interrupting her huffing/puffing/barking/snorting instrumental characterizations. A remarkable display of fortitude if nothing else.

Larry Harbison’s lighting greatly enhanced the performance.