Bruno Letort (Fr)

To Arthur Rimbaud, travelling was a preponderant element of his life, because departure represented a promise of exaltation. From London to Cologne, from Java to Cyprus, from Brussels to Aden, from Paris to Harar, Rimbaud never ceased to drink from the world, in search of a magnificence that will never be satiated. All these voyages were the source of an abundant correspondence, in which is shifting between the descriptive and impressions. Semelles de Vent (foot/root of wind) is a musical project (here adapted in installation for City Sonic). It is initiated by composer Bruno Letort, who immersed himself in the journeys of the poet. The work is made of sound collection, in conjunction with instrumental and electroacoustic writing, as well as readings of excerpts from Arthur Rimbaud’s abundant correspondence and portraits of the famous poet-smuggler.

A selection of recent photos and visual documents complete this musical environment.

Composition/design/electronic/guitar: Bruno Letort – voice: Ghédalia Tazartes, Etenes H Wassié – strings: Cube Quartet.
Production of the radio creation: Deutschlandfunk Kultur Radio (Berlin), France Culture (Paris), France Musique (Paris), SOOND (Bruxelles) with the support of Transcultures for the installation component.