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For Immediate Release

The Contemporary Music Centre launches the Softday USB Fish artefact as part of Marbh Chrios

21 January 2011

The Contemporary Music Centre launches a unique 2GB USB Fish artefact created by Softday as part of their Marbh Chrios (Dead Zone) project, on Wednesday at 6pm, 9 February 2011 in its new Platform for Performance space.

Softday (artist Sean Tylor and computer scientist Mikael Fernstrom) created the work Marbh Chrios during a public art residency through the Donegal County Council Public Art Office. Marbh Chrios was premiered on 16 Oct 2010 in County Donegal. It was the culmination of one of the five percent for art commissions within the Lovely Weather Artists Residency (www.regionalculturalcentre.com) Marbh Chrios is a computer generated music composition, constructed using eight years of related marine data mapping two 'contested' marine Dead Zones in Killybegs Harbour and Donegal Bay, and performed by the Donegal Youth Orchestra, with conductor Vincent Kennedy, the Softday Ceili Band and St.Catherine's Marching Band, Killybegs.

The official Marbh Chrios USB Fish Artefact, which CMC will launch on 9 February 2011, contains video and audio documentation of the Marbh Chrios performance of 16 Oct 2010, an e-book and photo gallery about the project. The Marbh Chrios USB Fish Artefact is designed by Softday and is available in a limited edition of three hundred. The full price is €42. A special launch price of €30 will be available the night of the launch only. The official Marbh Chrios USB Fish Artefact will be available to purchase through the Contemporary Music Centre shop after 9 February 2011.

"Softday produces work which inspires and engages those performing and spectating. I have been fortunate to attend a number of their large scale works over the years and they never cease to amaze. Marbh Chrios was a unqiue experience for all involved" says Evonne Ferguson, Director Contemporary Music Centre.

Softday will perform a live electro-acousmatic set on the night. This will be followed by a reception in the Centre's library. By invitation only.

Softday is a collaboration between Sean Taylor and Mikael Fernstrom that started in 1999, exploring the relationship between art, science, sound and social practice. Both artists are interested in exploring 'the cracks' between various media such as expanded theatre, sound art, sculpture, music, dance and the application of new technologies and have collaborated on a number of high profile science/art projects. www.softday.ie

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive, resource centre and promotional body for new music, supporting the work of Irish composers from the Republic and Northern Ireland. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

For further information on the launch of the Softtday USB Fish atefact, Contemporary Music Centre and the Centre's new Platform for Performance space contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 6731922 Email khennessy@cmc.ie