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Welcome...
The Cageance Project is a worldwide compilation.
Of performances of 4'33".
John Cage's 'silent piece'.
First performed in 1952.
A pivotal piece of sound art.
Keep scrolling down to read about the composition.
When you have finished reading, view the piece here.
(NB: The composition can only be viewed on desktop/laptop).
The Cageance Project extends 4'33".
Two video players combining new performances.
Each new pairing of performances unique.
And unrepeatable.
A new contemporary application.
A time of C-19.
A time of physical boundaries.
Restricted movement.
But no environmental or musical boundaries.
We bring these together.
Performances may comprise any instrumentalist.
Or combination of instrumentalists.
And may last for any length of time.
As Cage intended for 4'33".
Sometimes the same video will play again.
Sometimes an interlude will appear.
Indeterminately.
Each video loops for a duration of 4'33".
And each video is a different length.
So the two videos will be combined.
At different points as they loop.
After 4 minutes 33 seconds the page will refresh.
For a new pairing.
Or you can 'shuffle' to refresh for a new pairing.
At any time.
Each new pairing is random, determined by chance.
You can also mute, to focus solely on visual activity.
This website is accessible for anyone worldwide.
To participate or be the audience.
Statements
The statements on this page are from participants.
Summarising their experience whilst performing.
Take a few moments to read these too...
“It is worthwhile to just slow down and hear that music is all around you regardless of the instrument.”
Caroline Ross
Surrey, England
“Hoping it would have made Cage smile as one of few composers with a sense of humour.”
MickBlah - unprepared guitar
London, England
“Love the different location sounds mixed together!”
Louise
Italy
“For those few minutes of the performance I tuned in to the soundscape around me. I was found in the present, listening to every sound occurring around me and I felt this field of sonic environment surrounding me.”
Antonis Antoniou
Nicosia, Cyprus
“The orchestral and musical wonder and oneness of creation and environment.”
Dermot McNeil
Derry, Northern Ireland
“A nice holiday in 'silence'. Cage's meditation, available to everyone.”
Laura Hall
London, England
“It is very difficult to capture the silence, but it's so revealing when you get it.”
Beatriz Flórez
León, Spain
“It's interesting while doing it, because you get just long enough to think through what you’re doing musically, and the significance of it all, and then you’re thrusted out into the world again. Music has been described as a discussion, but I think of all the pieces I’ve played that's made me think the most.”
James, Y11 student
Moscow, Russia
“I enjoyed the idea of the structure of composed music creating a framework for the chaos of ambient sound - how infinite and unique can a composition be? How many stories are being told at once? The restraint of not sounding an instrument is exciting – the focus it gives to the other players – you are sharing the stage with the world.”
Rob Lockyear
Auckland, New Zealand
“I usually like to hear the rhythms of what is going on but to actually sit and concentrate on ONLY that was a privileged experience.”
Stephen Gilchrist
Ashtead, Surrey, England
“It felt really good to be able to just sit there, just listening to nature - nothing else, just nature.”
Adam, Y7 student
Oxfordshire, England
“An interesting experience. I was surprised how much constant noise there is in that space.”
Rodrigo Suárez
Mexico City, Mexico
“With music we tell stories and stories must be told. Without them life will be cold.”
Gary Durban
Vancover, Canada
“Gives you a chance to listen to your own true melody.”
Ângela Gomes
Bragança, Portugal
“Interesting how little is lost.”
Steve Agnew
Isle of Arran, Scotland
“The beauty of 4'33' is that the 'performers' and 'score' are always changing. Personally, playing it feels like an open-minded meditation: I am aware of all my surroundings, both haptic and auditory. In a way, it is sensory geography.”
Marco Susino
Melbourne, Australia
“Taking the time to focus on the sounds that you normally filter out was like visiting a cherished place for the first time and rediscovering that initial feeling of joy.”
Gareth Taylor
Oxfordshire, England
“I liked the aesthetic. I also believe that there is more than just sitting with your instruments, this project explores a lot of philosophical ideas. It is my first time seeing something as avant-garde as this.”
Nikita, Y10 student
Moscow, Russia
“It is through the absence of 'I' that depths are reached within our experiences. Let us step aside and bring our awareness to the periphery, without interference or agenda.”
Mike Relf
Bournemouth, Dorset, England
“This is a fantastic experience...!”
Amy, Y12 student
Marlborough, England
“Let silence take you to the core of life.”
Eva Brandt
Copenhagen, Denmark
“Remarkably powerful.”
Stu Slater
Marlborough, England
“The Force of the River runs through my being.”
Carlos ‘Sat Nam’ Aguilera
Salta, Argentina
“As teachers, we are spending lots of time wondering which activities will engage the students online. Sometimes something as simple as doing ‘nothing’ can be surprisingly engaging.”
Paul Tkachenko
Moscow, Russia
“Silence and nature can be very loud!”
Rockie Siew
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“Don’t be afraid of space, fear makes you fill it.”
Mike Mckenzie
London, England
“Silence please, exams in progress.”
Naome Bezuidenhout
Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
“Those who once dominated the earth.”
Meyong Kim
Dinosaur fossil Museum, Yanji, China.
“It's like nature is performing through you. A thrilling experience.”
Gudmundur Ingi Thorvaldsson
Eilifsdalur, Iceland
“Its quite the experience and it's just a nice trance, it really presents the musician rather than the music.”
Timofey, Y11 student
Moscow, Russia
“Never noticed how loud the silence is...”
Robin, Y12 student
Copenhagen, Denmark
“Silence itself, sometimes forgotten these days - we all seem to constantly rush ourselves. The power that rests have in music during quarantine.”
Iago Blanco
A Coruña, Spain
“Moment of reflection, more in tune with surroundings.”
Sean Carter
Swindon, England