Hors - Champs, Stan Douglas, a capsule Review

Stan Douglas’ work Hors – Champs, is a video exhibition presented at Vancouver’s western front. The exhibition, running from Friday January 18 – February 23, includes a video clip of a performance of free jazz musician Albert Ayler’s Spirits Rejoice. As described in the artists description of the work, this installation “considers the black musical traditions embedded into Ayler’s composition”.

There was an intensity during the roughly two minute video loop, where the viewer is drawn in to the incredible improvisation and freedom in the music.  Having the video projected on both sides of the screen allowed for different perspectives the of the selected performance. This not only shows various elements of black musical tradition, it gives insight to the performers themselves, in revealing in between moments when highlighting each performer. We see not only the musical communication, but the performers actually talking and throwing ideas at one another, giving an insight into the process.

It shows the music in a very human way, and exposes the rough edges that make the music beautiful. Upon entering the small dark room, you are taken over by both the footage and the music. You become transported to a jazz bar from the era and absorbed by the raw emotion in the music, allowing you to have a deeper connection to the music rather than simply an auditory one.