The first feature for the new academic year is with our alumna Guoda Dirzyte. Guoda is currently based in Scotland and about to start her MA at Glasgow School of Art. We talk to her ahead of her workshop on experimental music instrument building (Friday 28th, Performance Studio, GP).
DMSA: Where do we find you now?
GD: After graduating I was all over the place for a little bit doing different projects, but now it looks like I will settle down for at least a year in Glasgow where I will be studying for Masters of Design in Sound for the Moving Image.
DMSA:Three important words that represent you as a creative person
GD: Ambitious. Imperfect. Explorer.
DMSA: When did you start working with sound and music?
GD: I started playing piano when I was 8 years old, but got bored after a few years and decided to switch guitar. However, that wasn’t satisfying enough either, so when I was 13, I started looking more into sound experimentation and instrument making. It got me hooked up then and it still fascinates me today.
DMSA: In what ways has the DMSA course supported or helped you to develop into who you are today creatively and professionally?
GD: DMSA gave me a lot of technical and conceptual knowledge of my own practice. Before starting my bachelor’s, I wasn’t sure what I was doing or why I was doing it. So DMSA gave me a lot of knowledge about different fields of sound studies, from creative programming to audio production, as well as connections for collaborations and different events.
DMSA: Can you tell us a bit more about Más Hangok?
GD: Más Hangok is an experimental ambient music collaboration between me and Maja Mihalik. I play a Japanese heritage inspired handmade instrument which is a crossover between the traditional Japanese lute also called shamisen and the western cello, as well as other experimental instruments (handmade synths, mechanical percussion gadgets). Instrumental experimentations are accompanied by Maja’s eerie vocals that are inspired by Hungarian folk traditions. We started this project at the beginning of our third year at Brighton university, as part of DMSA night event.
DMSA: Other plans for the future? projects, events, visions?
GD: My current plans are to be part of Fort Process festival this weekend were I will be showcasing my new interactive kinetic installaition – Skaņas laukums. Projects and visions wise, I always have some ideas spinning in my head, but it needs time and funds to make it actually happen. For some time now I’ve been looking to put together a solid record of collaborations with different artists, so hopefully this will happen in the future. But for now I mainly plan to concentrate on my Master’s.