Tag Archives: CNNGO

Thursday 9th August 2012 – Sound for Events – Baralek Rendang

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So, my collaboration with the innovative events company Azanaya of Jakarta, Indonesia went very well. If this event is news to you, I created a conceptual soundscape based on Rendang food to be listened to when experiencing the food and spices that go into it. Check out the press release.

The event was a huge success with ten or so representatives of broadcast and print media attending as well as the Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister. The Minister was very impressed by the event and hinted that there could be support for a Rendang World Tour in 2013… Very exciting! The love for accessible food, culture and events has really shined through with Baralek Rendang. This was truly an event for the people, while not being afraid to experiment; and it is this set of values that contributed to the success of the event. Much love was put into Baralek Rendang, and it follows that much love came out of it.

My contribution to this fantastic event was a fascinating challenge for me. I had to create a piece that described the slow, labour-intensive process of Rendang cooking; a process where much love and attention creates a dish suitable for ceremony and warmly welcoming special guests. Rendang is steeped in tradition and local culture with the complexity of it’s flavours only being matched by the complexity of the ingredients and cooking process. Each set of ingredients symbolises a section of the Minang culture: Leadership, religious leaders, intellectuals and the community.

As a backdrop, I used recordings of the Sumatran jungle and coastlines that echo the homes of the Minang people, who created Rendang; the sounds of the jungle changing as the day goes on. Solitary pipes then beckon in the traveller from their weary journey.  From this, distant celebratory folk music of the Minang emanates, getting closer and closer to the listener as the Rendang process matures. Sonic interpretations of the various spices used in Rendang cooking are then slowly introduced, each having a prominence of it’s own and part to say regarding the Rendang symbolism. The piece matures ever-so slowly and carefully but all of the sonic ingredients come together in an intricate and hearty peak showing that the Rendang is ready to enjoy. The Rendang is then enjoyed but the very heart of Rendang becomes more prominent in the form of the celebrations that caused it to exist.

If it didnt play automatically, the piece can be heard below, so put some headphones on and enjoy Rendang.  Of course, this piece is enjoyed better while enjoying Rendang food, so if you have access to some make sure you combine your tastebuds and ears… If not, then maybe a Rendang World Tour event will be coming to you soon…

Read Azanaya’s testimonial on this piece.

 

Piece is an MP3 to ease your loading time!

 

Thursday 12th July 2012 – Soundscape – Baralek Rendang.

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Below is the press release for an event in Indonesia that I recently created a soundscape for. The event is being put on by Azanaya, who won a ‘Best of 2010’ award in ‘Time Out magazine – Jakarta’ and I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to work with such forward-thinking, and creative people. While talking to Lisa Virgiano, of Azanaya, I got such a huge sense of her desire to create events that are unique and innovative. We seem to be living in times where these qualities are taking centre stage once again, making our times very exciting indeed. Some people only see the problems we are currently going through so it’s refreshing to be part of a process that focuses on people and innovation; these are the people that I aim to reach with my work.

This event was interesting to me for a number of reasons, but the chance to work on a soundscape conceptually really gets my brain working, which I love! The soundscape I created uses sound to help evoke sensory memory and ties in the philosophies and heritage of the Rendang method of cooking. Rendang cooking is an important tradition of the Minang people of Sumatra, Indonesia. The different ingredients symbolise the various factions of their culture and the various types of Rendang dish are used ceremonially in important events.

Well, that’s enough from me; have a read below and if you will be in Jakarta on 4th August, 2012 get in touch with Azanaya here. I’ll publish my soundscape and talk a little about it after the event.

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“Baralek Rendang is inspired by the manifestation of the Indonesian cuisine heritage, Rendang, which has been ranked as the most delicious food in the world by CNNGO (September, 2011). We dedicate this event to all food lovers who would like to engage in a mind-opening gastronomical experience by inducing their senses through touch, sight, taste, smell, and even sound, in the setting of communal dining.

The event is something different and a breakthrough because for the first time in Asia, a combination of sound design, aromatic spices, and the experience of flavor will be used to enhance the dining experience. A conceptual sound manifesto to bring out the philosophy of Rendang as an Indonesian cuisine heritage has been created by talented UK sound designer Jay Harris; the participants are not only stimulated through sight, smell, and taste, but it is also a great chance to experience how sound can be delicious and food can be harmonious!

Baralek Rendang Concept:
Baralek means colossal banquet in the Minang language..

Many don’t really comprehend that Rendang holds an exceptional position in a particular Baralek celebration; it is an honorable representation of a host’s hospitality.

And Rendang is NOT a noun. It is actually a verb!

Rendang is a process of cooking, not merely a food. It is an elaborate and elegant cooking process that involves intense labour, craftsmanship, an understanding of fine spices, and perfect timing. Rendang is not only made from beef shanks; it can be made from different ingredients, such as forest leaves, mussels, black glutinous rice, eggs, chicken, exotic jack fruit, and many more. A proper understanding of Rendang as a cooking process should be ensured through fun and interactive presentation, taste education, and games. That’s why we initiated Baralek Rendang, to promote this understanding.

We will guide guests to another magical dining experience through a provocative and delectable Rendang sensation. An exploration of flavours, heritage values, and exotic ingredients are involved to make sure the event delivers the utmost local flavour to all guests.

Baralek Rendang will not only feature different varieties of Rendang from Minangkabau but will also present a fun sensory game for all guests in which they will deduce which ingredients are being used in the menu. An installation of fresh ingredients will be displayed for all guests to see, smell, taste, and touch, while listening. Later on, they will be given an opportunity to specify which ingredients are being used in the menu. The guest who produces the highest score will win a fabulous prize.”

Those readers that are in Jakarta should definitely check out this fantastic event!

A Soundscape will contribute towards your event being an unforgettable experience.  It could also be used to enhance your sensory branding to ensure that guests will think of you after they have left your event. Contact me for further information and read about past projects below.

If my work in soundscape for events, sound design for film or composing interests you join my mailing list to find out more.