BANISTONICA

Sage, Gateshead UK

A film exploring the musical qualities of Sage, Gateshead.

Commission

Di was commissioned by Suzy O’Hara for Thinking Digital Arts Festival to create a speculative fiction film inspired by the Sage, Gateshead, a concert venue and centre for musical education in Gatehead, Northeast England. Designed by Fosters and Partners, the iconic building opened in 2004 and is tenanted by the North Music Trust.

Film

Inspired by the French word “Sage” meaning a profoundly wise man or woman, Di started to imagine the building as a living creature holding sounds, secrets, and wisdom. In the film, Banistonica, Di explores innovative ways to release the building’s voice, resonance and soul. Drawing from the building’s unique design, systems, staff and visitors, Di transforms its structure into vital organs within a giant musical instrument.

Screenings

Thinking Digital Arts Festival

Partners

Sage Gateshead

Full credits below

Category

Film · Public Realm

The film tells the story of this living musical architecture through a single character – the nighttime janitor who one day discovers the building’s breath and begins to interact and communicate with the structure through sound. As time passes the janitor finds creative ways to harness the Sage’s voice via fantastical musical devices that grow from the building’s fabric.

One such instrument is called the Banistonica – a device that grows from jelly like seeds in the core of the building, and slides up and down the banister changing in pitch as it goes. All of these sonic growths discovered by the janitor amplify the building’s voice enabling the Sage to breathe hum and sing.

Di mainstone

Artist

Bainistonica, The Sage ©Di Mainstone

Bainistonica, The Sage ©Di Mainstone

Bainistonica, The Sage ©Di Mainstone

Bainistonica, The Sage ©Di Mainstone

Bainistonica, The Sage ©Di Mainstone

Bainistonica, The Sage ©Di Mainstone

CREDITS

Artistic Director
Creative Producer
Performer
Cinematographer
Sound Designer

Di Mainstone

Suzy O’Hara

Sarah Coxon

Alan Fentiman

Tim Shaw

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