ONLINE Conversation: Musical Congregation Across Cultures, Times and Species

Why do we move and make music together — and what happens to us when we do?

A song carried across generations. A rhythm that moves through bodies subconsciously. Across cultures and throughout history, music finds its way into us, moving us physically, and emotionally.

Join us for an evening of conversation, expanding out from Seema Mattu's exhibition LOCAL SUPERSTAR by exploring the surprising, moving, and occasionally mysterious ways that sound connects — not just people to people, but species to species, past to present.

In this online discussion, Dr Bronwyn Tarr — human behavioural scientist, evolutionary anthropologist, and dancer — will explore what it means to listen and express ourselves sonically across difference: across cultures, across centuries, across species. What do we share with creatures that move to a beat, or communities whose rituals have carried the same song for generations, and what is unique to us humans? What is happening in our bodies and brains when we come together to share sonic experiences with others? What are the hidden ingredients that make musical congregation so powerful?

Come ready to think, to listen, and to share.

About Bronwyn

Bronwyn is an Associate Professor at the London Interdisciplinary School, and a research affiliate at the University of Oxford.

Bronwyn’s research combines her passion for dance and music with her curiosity about human nature and the evolution of social behaviours. She is interested in why humans have such a longstanding love-affair with music, the nuts and bolts behind the social benefits of taking part in musical activities, and how dancing in synchrony can be a powerful social glue. She has previously collaborated with dancers, composers, film-makers, dance-movement therapists, and experts on loneliness to undertake interdisciplinary research exploring how MOVING TOGETHER can improve well-being. Her research has involved working with communities in the Amazon, Oxford, Barcelona, and Namibia, her home country.

Access

This event will be hosted on Zoom. Closed captions will be available. If you have any other access needs please drop us an email on info@eastsideprojects.org so we can chat them through.