COLIN SELF
Individual and collective singing as a tool for increasing somatic awareness and collective organising.
XOIR (pronounced like “choir”) is a vocal workshop led by Colin Self which has been conducted at various events and in different settings across the world. Usually used as a tool for experimentation and exploration in group settings, its focus lies on somatic awareness and collective organising, as opposed to memorisation and reciting of sheet music in the binaries of western tradition. For Unseen, Colin Self has prepared a “primer”, if you will, an introduction to XOIR for individual practice.
A crucial element of XOIR is that it invites the participation of anyone; it encourages amateurism as a precedent. No prior singing, vocal or choral practice is required to take part, although engagement in experimental studio or music practice is encouraged. But if that isn't the case, that shouldn't deter you: this video starts off, continues and also ends with simple and approachable exercises. All you'll need is your voice, your body and a little bit of space and time to yourself. Drawing on the writings and principles of Pauline Oliverson, XOIR will encourage you to not just hear, but also listen intently - both in moments of silent breathing and vocalisation.
In the beginning of the video tutorial, Colin Self describes XOIR as a framework, which is a lovely way to think about a tool like this. Yes, there are instructions; yes, there is methodology and certain principles; yes, you may initially need to listen to someone with more experience. But the applications of XOIR beyond this video are limitless. Whether in individual practice or collective applications, XOIR can be a tool of liberation and inclusivity. XOIR presents vocalisation as more than just professional performance, but proposes singing as a way to explore our bodies, their relation to and the interconnectedness with the world around us, and singing with others as a potential path to community-building and organising.
A former participant described it in the following terms: “Two hours after a group of us, shy participants, stood in the corners of the room, we became a community of people who talked to each other, sang together, learned songs and lullabies from one another, massaged each other etc. Using ordinary methods (simple singing and movement exercises), all our shame evaporated. An artificial, extremely shy group became a very human group defined by mutual care.”
At the end of the video Colin Self encourages every one of us to build upon the foundation of XOIR, to contact them if we are interested in deeper explorations, and to consider including others in this practice alongside us. Because, inherently, XOIR - like all “choirs” - is a tool for the many, not the few.
Adam Badí Donoval
AN INTRODUCTION TO XOIR
XOIR is a methodology of group-singing that began in 2013, rooted in experimentation and exploration, focusing on collective organizing and somatic awareness over the priority of memorizing and reciting music in the binaries of western music. XOIR is not about professionalism or assimilation, and encourages amateurism as a precedent.
This work is an instructional video that outlines the basic principles of XOIR practice, allowing an individual to embark on a solitary practice of making sound, and encouraging the participant to explore further on their own terms. This video is best conducted in a space where the participant would feel comfortable making sound without worrying about their surroundings.
BIO
Colin Self is an artist, composer, and performer based in Berlin, Germany. They work collaboratively with communities to expand consciousness and trouble binarized thinking. Additionally, they have released solo music on RVNG Intl., toured internationally with Holly Herndon as part of her choir and worked as a choreographer on Dan Deacon and QT videos. Their work has been presented and performed in venues and festivals such as MoMA PS1, CTM Fesival, The Dutch National Opera & Ballet and DonauFestival.
COLIN SELF
Individual and collective singing as a tool for increasing somatic awareness and collective organising.
XOIR (pronounced like “choir”) is a vocal workshop led by Colin Self which has been conducted at various events and in different settings across the world. Usually used as a tool for experimentation and exploration in group settings, its focus lies on somatic awareness and collective organising, as opposed to memorisation and reciting of sheet music in the binaries of western tradition. For Unseen, Colin Self has prepared a “primer”, if you will, an introduction to XOIR for individual practice.
A crucial element of XOIR is that it invites the participation of anyone; it encourages amateurism as a precedent. No prior singing, vocal or choral practice is required to take part, although engagement in experimental studio or music practice is encouraged. But if that isn't the case, that shouldn't deter you: this video starts off, continues and also ends with simple and approachable exercises. All you'll need is your voice, your body and a little bit of space and time to yourself. Drawing on the writings and principles of Pauline Oliverson, XOIR will encourage you to not just hear, but also listen intently - both in moments of silent breathing and vocalisation.
In the beginning of the video tutorial, Colin Self describes XOIR as a framework, which is a lovely way to think about a tool like this. Yes, there are instructions; yes, there is methodology and certain principles; yes, you may initially need to listen to someone with more experience. But the applications of XOIR beyond this video are limitless. Whether in individual practice or collective applications, XOIR can be a tool of liberation and inclusivity. XOIR presents vocalisation as more than just professional performance, but proposes singing as a way to explore our bodies, their relation to and the interconnectedness with the world around us, and singing with others as a potential path to community-building and organising.
A former participant described it in the following terms: “Two hours after a group of us, shy participants, stood in the corners of the room, we became a community of people who talked to each other, sang together, learned songs and lullabies from one another, massaged each other etc. Using ordinary methods (simple singing and movement exercises), all our shame evaporated. An artificial, extremely shy group became a very human group defined by mutual care.”
At the end of the video Colin Self encourages every one of us to build upon the foundation of XOIR, to contact them if we are interested in deeper explorations, and to consider including others in this practice alongside us. Because, inherently, XOIR - like all “choirs” - is a tool for the many, not the few.
Adam Badí Donoval
AN INTRODUCTION TO XOIR
XOIR is a methodology of group-singing that began in 2013, rooted in experimentation and exploration, focusing on collective organizing and somatic awareness over the priority of memorizing and reciting music in the binaries of western music. XOIR is not about professionalism or assimilation, and encourages amateurism as a precedent.
This work is an instructional video that outlines the basic principles of XOIR practice, allowing an individual to embark on a solitary practice of making sound, and encouraging the participant to explore further on their own terms. This video is best conducted in a space where the participant would feel comfortable making sound without worrying about their surroundings.
BIO
Colin Self is an artist, composer, and performer based in Berlin, Germany. They work collaboratively with communities to expand consciousness and trouble binarized thinking. Additionally, they have released solo music on RVNG Intl., toured internationally with Holly Herndon as part of her choir and worked as a choreographer on Dan Deacon and QT videos. Their work has been presented and performed in venues and festivals such as MoMA PS1, CTM Fesival, The Dutch National Opera & Ballet and DonauFestival.
Unseen is an online platform and web archive that presents different approaches to listening and cultivating the relationship between our bodies, space and sound. Through a series of exercises, methods and video guides, we are invited to focus on sound as a tool for relieving feelings of separation and isolation, as a tool for imagining better futures.
Unseen is an online platform and web archive that presents different approaches to listening and cultivating the relationship between our bodies, space and sound. Through a series of exercises, methods and video guides, we are invited to focus on sound as a tool for relieving feelings of separation and isolation, as a tool for imagining better futures.