The Nubian Word for Flowers

Sound design and sound engineering for The Nubian Word for Flowers: a phantom opera (2017) by Pauline Oliveros and IONE.

The Nubian Word for Flowers: a phantom opera is the final work of iconic American composer Pauline Oliveros. At the time of her death in November 2016, the opera was only 75 percent complete. During the year that followed, Oliveros’s wife, Ione, collaborated with International Contemporary Ensemble (performing ensemble), Monica Duncan (video artist), Senem Pirler (sound artist), and Nick Demaison (conductor) to posthumously complete the work and give a full-scale world premiere at Roulette (Brooklyn, NY) on November 30, 2017, which was lauded as a “warmly felt haunting” by The New York Times.

Sound design and performance for The Nubian Word for Flowers: Pocket Edition (2020) @ The New York Public Library

A "pocket" chamber edition of the IONE and Pauline Oliveros "Phantom" opera, featuring a deconstructed/reconstructed score and improvisational performances with electronics and moving images by the collaborative trio of IONE (text, direction, and performance), Monica Duncan (visuals, performance), and Senem Pirler (sound, performance). All combine to create a deep dream exploration of Nubian soul and colonial mind.