Co-created with a guitar ensemble that operates at the MDK Łazienkowska Youth Cultural Centre under the guidance of Agnieszka Zielińska, the piece was inspired by a guitar sculpture placed in front of Hard Rock Café, and the sculpture’s history. The restaurant chain is known for its inimitable atmosphere and the world’s greatest collection of musical memorabilia in the form of guitars signed by artists, musicians’ concert costumes, unique photographs, etc. The collection started in 1979, when Eric Clapton presented an unsigned Fender guitar to London’s first Hard Rock Café, where he was a frequent guest. To commemorate the event, we have decided to quote the song Tears in Heaven in our own piece. Having considered the specific context of the sculpture, we hit on the idea of including transformed urban noise. 

During our first meeting, each ensemble member described that day’s personal experiences and emotions, which were then used to build the work’s tripartite structure. Much of the workshop time was spent improvising, discovering new techniques and technological achievements. These explorations culminated in writing a score and in the work’s performance by the young artists. A recording of that performance has been used in the final mix. 

Lena Michajłów