Olivia Louvel

Olivia Louvel is a French-born British composer and artist whose work draws on voice, computer music and digital narrative. She operates at the intersection of creation and documentation, often taking for a point of departure, texts, poetry, archival and autobiographical documents. Her practice is built upon a long-standing exploration of the voice, sung or spoken, and its manipulation through digital technology, as a compositional method.

Olivia Louvel
Background information
Birth nameOlivia Louvel
GenresElectroacoustic Music, Experimental Music, Sound Art
Occupation(s)Composer, producer, vocalist, visual artist
InstrumentsComputer, DAW, vocals
LabelsCat Werk Imprint, Optical Sound, Angelika koehlermann, Ici, d'ailleurs..., Parallel Series
Associated actsThe Digital Intervention, Paul Kendall, Recoil, Alan Wilder
Websitehttp://www.olivialouvel.com/, http://www.catwerkimprint.com

Her largest project to date, Hepworth Resounds (2020), is a multipartite sound art project based on British sculptor Barbara Hepworth. Hepworth Resounds consists in two sound objects: The Sculptor Speaks, a resounding of a 1961 recording of Barbara Hepworth's voice, premiered on Resonance Extra, and SculptOr, an album release based on Hepworth's extensive writings. The Sculptor Speaks was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award in the Sound Art category at the Ivors Composer Awards 2020. [1]

With her generative sound mural ‘The Whole Inside’ (2019), Louvel explored an explicit sociopolitical agenda: the violent misogyny of the Incels community. ‘The Whole Inside’ is selected for the Longlist at the Aesthetica Art Prize 2021, and will be published in the ‘Aesthetica Art Prize Anthology: Future Now.’

Previously, Louvel explored the reigns of Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I with the multimedia suite Data Regina (2017), delivering her own singular transposition through an interactive digital platform http://www.dataregina.com and a cd publication. In November 2018, she toured throughout the UK presenting a headline audio-visual set of Data Regina for ‘Synth Remix’, an event curated by Benjamin Tassie under Sound and Music's Composer-Curator scheme, also featuring Jo Thomas.

Louvel has opened for artists such as Eartheater at De La Warr Pavilion,[2] Japanese avant-garde artist Phew (singer)[3] Planningtorock at the Earsthetic Festival Brighton Dome, [4] and Recoil for various concerts on the European 'Selected' tour (2010).
Louvel has been an active member of female:pressure, the international network of female, transgender and non-binary artists in the fields of electronic music and digital arts.


Education

She studied at the National Superior Conservatory of Dramatic Arts of Paris and had the opportunity to work with Klaus Michael Grüber and Michel Piccoli in a reworking of a Luigi Pirandello play.[5]
She holds a MA in Digital Music and Sound Art from DMSA, University of Brighton.

Early career

Initially trained in classical singing, she began to work as a singer for the renowned flying trapeze circus 'Les Arts Sauts' performing at 12 metres in the air a Meredith Monk composition 'Madwoman's vision'. She toured with them for three years.

Solo works
  • Luna Parc Hotel (2006) composition

In 2003, with her first computer, she began to produce her debut album Luna Parc Hotel, released on Angelika Koehlermann in 2006.[6] With guest appearances by Michael J.Sheehy and Sébastien Libolt.

  • Lulu in Suspension (2008) composition

Inspired by silent-movie star Louise Brooks and her book Lulu in Hollywood. Released as a digipak CD on Optical Sound Records and Fine Arts run by French artist Pierre BelouÏn.

  • Doll Divider (2010 + 2011) composition, video, artwork

Initially released as a digital version on Ototoi Music / Optical Sound. Doll Divider[7] was originally inspired by A4 paintings which she made using pages from fashion magazines and repainting on top of the photos of the models. Collectively these paintings are called "Processed Dolls". Following her Qwartz Album Award in 2011, she created her label Cat Werk Imprint. 'Doll Divider' was re-released as a limited edition vinyl, enhanced and remastered version, catalogue number CW01.

  • ō, music for haiku (2007-2012) composition, art-house films, artwork

A minimal soundtrack based on haiku by poet Bashō released on Cat Werk Imprint. The limited Edition CD is adorned with a hand-drawn 'Magic Fish Dog', a character invented by Olivia Louvel. 2008 Screening, Festival Electron, Geneva 2007 Performance in the electronic kiosk conceived by Cocktail Designers/architect Olivier Vadrot at[8] Festival en boîte, Bibliothèque de la Part-Dieu, Lyon, France (F)[9]

  • Beauty Sleep (2014) composition, art-house films

11 songs complemented by a series of experimental short films shot in West Sussex, reinventing herself as a bird-woman. "Bats" was remixed by Simon Fisher Turner.[10]

  • Afraid of Women (2016) audiovisual

for 'Music, Awareness & Solidarity w/ Rojava Revolution', a female:pressure campaign curated by Antye Greie-Ripatti that aims to show solidarity and raise awareness for a special de facto autonomous zone in northern Syria. Released and screened at CTM Festival, Berlin. Produced using sampled sounds and re-fragmented images sourced from the internet, an attempt to highlight the formidable solidarity and courage of these women fighting on the front line against IS.[11]

  • Data Regina (2017) composition, 3D animations, online platform

An interwoven tale of 16th century British history with Mary Queen of Scots, her poetry and her battles. www.dataregina.com "A multimedia suite by composer Olivia Louvel digs deep into the psychic warfare between two 16th century British Queens"[12]
"For her latest record, Data Regina, Olivia Louvel packages experimental electronic music, new media art, and 16th century conflict into multimedia art "[13]

  • The Whole Inside (2019) installation, sound art

A generative sound mural of nine speaker drivers and data projection, confronting the violent misogyny of the Incels community. Installed at DMSA, University of Brighton.[14]

  • SculptOr [Hepworth Resounds] (2020) composition

A suite of nine pieces based on the writings of Barbara Hepworth, released as a digipak CD - [Hepworth Resounds].
Louvel was interviewed by Stuart Maconie for his BBC Radio 6 programme – Freak Zone - about her "new compelling sculpture-inspired work" on Barbara Hepworth. [15]

  • The Sculptor Speaks [Hepworth Resounds] (2020) stereo broadcast, audiovisual work

A resounding of a 1961 recording of Hepworth's voice. Premiered as a first iteration on Resonance Extra / Resonance FM[16] and now published as a 35 mn audiovisual piece.

Collaborative practice

Under the moniker of The Digital Intervention, she worked with Paul Kendall (long term Mute Records collaborator) on the album Capture, which was released in 2003.[17]

December 2014, she produced an exclusive mix for Electronic Beats, "odd and fantastic", which features her remix of Antye Greie aka AGF 's 'Poemproducer'.[18]

With Paul Kendall as The Digital Intervention, they produced the piece 'When the sea will rise II' for Acoustic Cameras, a project which invites sound artists to annex the real-time flow of webcams located in various places around the world.[19]

Along with Daria Baiocchi, Fiona Hallinan, La Cosa Preziosa, Vicky Langan, Úna Lee, Jenn Kirby, Claudia Molitor, Gráinne Mulvey and Rachel Ní Chuinn, Louvel contributed to the collaborative art project 'Mean Time' with her composition '25 minutes and 21 seconds'. The event was broadcast live on Nova, RTÉ Lyric FM from Richmond Barracks, Dublin, clawing back time lost in 1916.[20]

Discography

LPs
  • SculptOr, 02.2020, digipak CD (DVD size). Cat Werk Imprint.
  • Data Regina, 02.2017, digipak CD (DVD size). Cat Werk Imprint.
  • Beauty Sleep, 09.2014, digipak CD (DVD size). Cat Werk Imprint.
  • ō , music for haiku, 12.2012, CD with hand drawn artwork & digital. Cat Werk Imprint.
  • Doll Divider, 06.2011, 12" vinyl & digital (enhanced & remastered version). Cat Werk Imprint.
  • Doll Divider, 02.2010, digital. Ototoi + Optical Sound.
  • Lulu in Suspension, 01.2008, deluxe digipak CD & digital. Optical Sound.
  • Luna Parc Hotel, 03.2006, digipak CD with booklet. Angelika Koehlermann.

EPs
  • Bats by Night, 02.2015, digital. Cat Werk Imprint.

Collaborations
  • Capture as The Digital Intervention (with Paul Kendall), 2003, CD. The Parallel Series + 0101 + Ici D'Ailleurs.

Compilations
  • Mind The Gap. Gonzo Circus. 2017. track featured 'Good Queen Bess'.[21]
  • Music, Awareness & Solidarity w/ Rojava Revolution. female:pressure. 2016. track featured 'Afraid of Women'.[22]
  • Pussy Riot Freedom. female:pressure. 2013. track featured ' Doll Divider'.[23]

Remix

Distinctions

Nominations
  • Aesthetica Art Prize 2021. Longlist for 'The Whole Inside. 2021.
  • Ivor Novello Award Ivors Composer Awards. Sound Art category for 'The Sculptor Speaks'. 2020
  • Prix Ars Electronica Digital music & Sound Art category for 'ō, music for haiku'. 2013

Awards

Grants
  • Grant for the Arts. Arts Council England for 'Data Regina'. 2016
  • Grant for the Arts. Arts Council England for 'Beauty Sleep'. 2014

References
  1. "The Ivors Composer Awards 01 Dec 2020". ivorsacademy.com. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  2. "Semiconductor and Eartheater". dlwp.com. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  3. "PHEW, debut live in London + Olivia Louvel". iklectikartlab.com. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  4. "earsthetic Planningtorock". brightondome.org. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  5. "Klaus Michael Grüber est un mystique". Letemps.ch. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  6. "'Luna Parc Hotel' on Angelika Köhlermann". angelika.koehlermann.at. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  7. "LISTEN: Olivia Louvel-Doll Maker". Thequietus.com. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  8. "Cocktail Designers' music furniture". lespressesdureel.com. 26 November 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
  9. "Festival En Boite". Bm-lyon.fr. 1 April 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  10. "INTERVIEW: Olivia Louvel". Thequietus.com. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  11. "Is The Islamic State 'Afraid of Women'?". electronicbeats.net. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  12. "The multimedia artist's latest project pits queen against queen. By Abi Bliss". Thewire.co.uk. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  13. "Olivia Louvel on Music, Art & 16th Century History. By DJ Pangburn". Thequietus.co.uk. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  14. "Graduate Show 2019: Olivia Louvel: Digital Music and Sound Arts". Blogs.brighton.ac.uk. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  15. "Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone". bbc.co.uk. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  16. "The Sculptor Speaks". Resonance Extra. 10 January 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  17. ""The Digital Intervention – Capture" release". forcedexposure.com. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  18. "EB radio presents Olivia Louvel". electronicbeats. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  19. "Acoustic Cameras". acousticcameras. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  20. ""Sound Art celebrates the female revolutionary spirit"". thesampler.org. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  21. "MIND THE GAP #124". gonzocircus.com. 23 December 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  22. "female:pressure release Rojava Revolution compilation for International Women's Day". factmag.com. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  23. "All-female EDM and digital art collective female:pressure have released a new compilation album in aid of Pussy Riot". thegirlsare.com. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  24. ""FIONA BRICE shares Gonjasufi 'Glastonbury' remix" release". bellaunion.com. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  25. "Qwartz Award Winners Announced". Thewire.co.uk. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  26. "Qwartz – Paris Réseau international pour les musiques électroniques et nouvelles". Sacd.fr. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 23 January 2013.
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