3 Sticks

3 Sticks is a new exploration of the circular brought to life by Howie B and Hiraki Sawa. Recorded live at Konk Studios, London.

Beginning with an organic knock on wood, the project is designed as multi layered audio-visual with the push and pull of analogue visuals and phrasing with digital flourishes.  3 Sticks has moments of droning discomfort which orbit undeniable head shaking rhythm. We travel through three distinct phases of sound: from the initial building euphoric funk through a discordant and thoughtful reprieve, finishing with a curious, questioning dystopian beat.
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"‘The self is zero and infinite at the same time’ – *D.T. Suzuki’s concept serves as the foundation for creating a performance stage that integrates live music and visuals by Howie B. and Hiraki Sawa. This performance delves into the dual nature of the self through a dialogue between live music and visual art, offering a flowing and immersive stage experience.

‘The self is both the point at the center of the circle and all other points. It is a point and a circle at the same time,’ says D.T. Suzuki, likening it to a paradox. To explain it properly, the self is always a fluid phenomenon: it is zero when viewed statically, but infinite and changeable when viewed dynamically. This stage will visualize the dialogue between live music by Howie B. and images by Hiraki Sawa in the style of a riddle-like ‘Zen Mondou.’

This stage represents a unique collaboration where the two artists attempt to hybridize the Western view of things—with a constant awareness of their position within the coordinate space of up, down, left, and right, and the perception of relationships through active and passive interactions—and the Eastern view of things, which strives to understand the world through the principle of “you being me, and I being you.”

Prior to the performance, Sawa and Howie began their collaboration by exchanging music and visuals, an initiative that is part of the ongoing ‘Zen Mondou’ project. This collaborative process lays the groundwork for a performance that seamlessly blends their contrasting approaches, utilizing live visual performances and lighting to enhance the fluidity and immersion of the stage experience. This collaboration offers a
unique and enriched artistic experience that challenges and expands the audience’s perception of self and existence.

When D.T. was dying of severe pain caused by ileus in his old age, his disciple asked him, “Would you like something, Sensei?” He just replied, “No, nothing. Thank you.” Just like his words of resignation, we look forward to seeing his view of the world, “Just enough,” at Enfold stage.