Studio Residency: Pamela Z

Composer-performer Pamela Z has been selected as this year’s artist for MoMA’s annual Studio Residency program. Offering space and resources for experimentation, collaboration, and incubation of new projects, this residency provides artists the ability to research and evolve their work, while offering audiences an opportunity to encounter artworks in development.

Pamela Z is a pioneer of live sonic and visual looping techniques. In her solo work, she performs with custom electronic instruments, using sensors that allow her to manipulate sound through her physical gestures, combining experimental, extended vocal techniques, operatic bel canto, spoken word, and sonic samples. At MoMA, Pamela Z will continue to develop her recent intermedia song cycle Simultaneous. Comprised of several short pieces exploring the concept of simultaneity, the work will incorporate voice, gesture control, real-time electronic processing, language, and immersive video projections that are partially reactive to sound and motion. The residency will culminate in a performance premiere of Simultaneous, a glimpse into an in-progress version of the work adapted for an installation format, and a public conversation with the artist.

Organized by Martha Joseph, The Phyllis Ann and Walter Borten Assistant Curator of Media and Performance, with May Makki, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Media and Performance. Produced by Kate Scherer, Manager and Producer, with Aminah Ibrahim, Assistant Performance Coordinator, Performance and Live Programs. 

The Kravis Studio programs are presented as part of The Hyundai Card Performance Series.

Major support is provided by MoMA’s Wallis Annenberg Director’s Fund for Innovation in Contemporary Art.

Generous funding is provided by the Lonti Ebers Endowment for Performance and the Sarah Arison Endowment Fund for Performance.