A Predatory Chord
A polyphonic signal fractures and scatters throughout the space — dispersed across a suspended field of loudspeakers. Cello-like tones rise and recoil in response to an inaudible threat, echoing the murmuration of prey animals under pressure. The room becomes an evolving environment, a volatile ecology of pitch, pressure, and mass. Sometimes, it breathes. Sometimes, it drops into an uncanny silence.
In A Predatory Chord, acclaimed composer Ben Frost pushes the very medium of his practice: the PA system. Loudspeakers — typically hidden — become spatial and sculptural instruments, shaping sound into form. This is more than music, this is a living intelligent system — reactive, physical, and unpredictable.
Originally commissioned for the Rolex Arts Festival, A Predatory Chord lands at the Fremantle Biennale with its full original scale and tension. From the mind behind award-winning scores such as Dark, Frost’s latest work continues his deep investigation into thresholds of sound, technology, and the unflinching wildness of the natural world.
Date and Time
13-30 Nov (Thur-Sun)
11am-8pm
Location
Victoria Hall
Entry
$15 + booking fee
Image Credit
Ben Frost, Photo by Matthew Thorne
Ben Frost is an Australian/Icelandic composer, sound artist, and stage director. His work spans studio recordings, performance, installation, and collaborations across dance, theatre, and film, where his work appears in Sleeping Beauty (Julia Leigh), Palestine 36 (Annemarie Jacir), Raised by Wolves (Ridley Scott), Die My Love (Lynne Ramsay), 1899, and the cult series Dark.
Selected by Brian Eno as his protégé through the Rolex Arts Initiative, Frost has also collaborated extensively with artist Richard Mosse on the acclaimed multi-channel video/sound works The Enclave, Incoming, and Broken Spectre.
He has written and directed two operas, The Wasp Factory and The Murder of Halit Yozgat – a collaboration with research agency Forensic Architecture.
Victoria Hall
179 High St,
Fremantle
Duration: 30 minutes, looped.
Event Information: This event is held indoors and undercover, but the building is not equipped with air-conditioning or insulation, so please dress appropriately to the weather.
Toilets are located at the rear of the building. Water will not be available, so please bring your own.
Latecomers: Latecomers may not be admitted. We recommend booking tickets in advance and arriving early to ensure you don’t miss out.
Triggers: This event includes flashing, moving lights, loud sound and low lighting.
Food & drink: Food will not be available on site. Fremantle’s West End has excellent food options close by. Visit our Plan Your Visit section for our favourite cafes, restaurants and bars.
Parking:
FOMO, Fremantle Car Park (closest) or along High Street.
Queen Street Car Park 4.
Parry Street Car Park
Public Transport: Victoria Hall is a short 7 minute walk from Fremantle Train Station, the final stop on the Fremantle line. Several local bus routes also stop nearby.
Victoria Hall is a fully accessible venue. The main event space is located on the ground floor. The space will feature carpet with some seating available.
Accessible toilets are located at the back of the building.
ACROD Parking spaces are available at FOMO Fremantle Car Park or at Queen Street Car Park 4.
