Constant’s New Babylon
Podcast by Justin Bennett about the soundtracks produced by Constant for his New Babylon project in the 1960’s
Available on UFMC (Umbrella for Music Curators)
The Dutch artist Constant Nieuwenhuijs, known simply as Constant, was a painter, sculptor and musician. A member of the Cobra group in the 1950’s and later one of the founding members of the Situationist International, he is most famous for his imaginary urban project New Babylon. Between 1965 and 1968 circa, in addition to the maquettes and drawings he also produced sound compositions – dense ‘plunderphonic’ collages of environmental sounds, voices, machines and music.
In this podcast Justin Bennett analyzes Constant’s sound-world in relation to his utopian vision.
Sound from the tape Bruitages by Constant (year unknown)
Text and edit by Justin Bennett
Listen on the newly launched UFMC (Umbrella for Music Curators) site
With thanks to Fondation Constant & Institute of Sonology