VOICE IMAGES is a new choral composition that responds to the unique architecture and acoustics of the Swiss Church in London. Devised for an ensemble of six singers, it incorporates three distinct compositions or ‘voice-images’; sonic representations of delirium. Each ‘voice-image’ is designed to be modular — in conversation harmonically and timbrally with one another — and plays with a different cluster of words which sound alike yet shift in meaning with the change of a vowel or consonant. During the performance up to three compositions will occur simultaneously: from the incisive sonority of two singers performing a duet to the polyphonic harmonies of several compositions occurring at one time. The intensity and audible perceptibility of these pieces will transform throughout, altered by the singers’ movement and proximity to each other within the space.

VOICE IMAGES builds on Louisa Fairclough’s solo exhibition, Ground Truth, at Danielle Arnaud Gallery in 2011. The show included two 16mm film installations: Bore Song (2011) and Song of Grief (2013), which formed a minor sixth interval when heard together. This tonal, as well as aesthetic, resonance led Fairclough to consider the works as modular, correlating with Glover’s interest in the perception of repeated musical intervals.

Glover and Fairclough have collaborated on a number of compositions since 2014 including Awkward Relaxed (2014), I wish I could be a stone (2014) and Compositions for a Low Tide (2014), as well as two expanded film installations: Can People See Me Swallowing (2014) and Absolute Pitch (2014). This is the first time they have expanded their research into tonal modularity into a live choral manifestation.

VOICE IMAGES has been workshopped with, and will be performed by the Dieci Voices — a professional vocal ensemble based in London.

In conjunction with the performance Fairclough is also presenting A Song Cycle for the Ruins of a Psychiatric Unit, a solo exhibition at Danielle Arnaud Gallery 18 November — 9 December 2017.

Louisa Fairclough's practice takes the form of film loops, performances, field recordings and drawings. In 2016 she was awarded the CMIR Arnolfini bursary for the sculptural film Awkward Relaxed (forthcoming). Sounding grief: The Severn Estuary as an emotional soundscape co-authored with Owain Jones led to drawings and field recordings from the Thames that were shown at Estuary Festival (2016). Can People See Me Swallowing showed at Contact Film Festival, Apiary Studios (2016), Absolute Pitch and Composition for a Low Tide were commissioned by Whitstable Biennale 2014, Jeannie commissioned by Bristol New Music in 2014, Song of Grief shown at Film in Space, Camden Art Centre (2013), Bore Song acquired by CAS for The Wilson (2013) and recently shown at Rojas + Rubensteen Projects in Miami (2017). Louisa is Associate Lecturer at Oxford Brookes and University of Falmouth. She is passionate about experimental film, and co-founded BEEF in Bristol in 2015.

Richard Glover is a composer and writer based in Birmingham, UK. His music explores gradual process, perception in reductionist sound environments, performer interaction, and experimental approaches to notation. His portrait cd Logical Harmonies was released by Another Timbre to widespread acclaim in 2013, and his music has been performed internationally by ensembles such as the Bozzini Quartet, musikFabrik, BBC Concert Orchestra, and the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. Glover co-authored the book Overcoming Form with Bryn Harrison, with whom he is currently working on a major publication with Bloomsbury on the temporal experience of experimental musics, due for release in 2018. He has published book chapters and articles on Phill Niblock, Minimalism and Technology, and the perception of sustained tone musics. He is currently Reader in Music at the University of Wolverhampton.

VOICE IMAGES is part of Being and Appearing, a programme of contemporary art curated for the Swiss Church in London by Kirsty White. http://beingandappearing.org.uk 

Kindly supported by the Swiss Church in London, University of Wolverhampton and Arts Council England.

Image: A Gloucester Cathedral chorister sings for 'Absolute Pitch' by Louisa Fairclough & Richard Glover commissioned by Whitstable Biennale 2014. Photo by Milo Newman

Everyone is welcome to join us for our Sunday service and share communion. We are an ecumenical congregation and people from Anglican, Protestant and Catholic backgrounds and no religious affiliation worship together.

The sermon is held in English. The hymns are sung in German, French and English.

The service is followed by lunch cooked by members of the congregation.

SIT IN SILENCE ON 11 DECEMBER IS CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. WE APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED! 

The weeks before Christmas are a hectic time and many of us long for a moment of peace and quiet away from all the hustle and bustle. 

We invite you to escape the busy streets of London and enter a calm space, illuminated by candlelight. Make yourself comfortable and find your inner balance, or have  or a cup of tea and a chat with one of our staff and volunteers.

This event is free. Everyone is welcome to drop in and out at their own rhythm. 

Everyone is welcome to join us for our Sunday service and share communion. We are an ecumenical congregation and people from Anglican, Protestant and Catholic backgrounds and no religious affiliation worship together.

The sermon is held in English. The hymns are sung in German, French and English.

The service is followed by lunch cooked by members of the congregation.

Topic: "I want to pray - but I don't know how"

Reading Matthew 5:5-15

We will look at different ways of praying and how we can establish a prayer practice in our daily life, even if we sometimes doubt if anyone can hear us...  

The Swiss Church in London, the Swiss Benevolent Society and the Swiss Embassy present to you:

Book presentation with author Simone Müller 

“Alljährlich im Frühjahr schwärmen unsere jungen Mädchen nach England”

Author Simone Müller reads extracts from 11 portraits of Swiss women who emigrated, published in her latest book. They came to the UK in their hundreds before and after the Second World War, rising to thousands in the late Forties and Fifties. A mass exodus of women, without parallel in the history of Switzerland. They worked as housekeepers, nannies and companions. The historical aspects of the extensive repatriation initiatives, organized by the Swiss Embassy in London in October 1939, are also described. Readings in German, followed by Q&A in English.

When: Friday, 26 January, 1-3 Uhr

Where: The Swiss Church in London, 79 Endell Street, WC2H 9DY

What: Coffee and cake, Reading from the book (in German), talks, Q+A, book signing

Information: carla.maurer@swisschurchlondon.org.uk or 020 7836 1418

Admission free. Retiring collection.

Her first large installation since the iconic New Dawn in the Houses of Parliament, A Conversation with My Mother explores the notion of loss through dementia and the power of the subconscious to offer insights into the nature of grief.

Set in the captivating space of the Swiss Church, Covent Garden, the piece will include sculpture and soundscape interviews with a diverse group of women who talk about relationships with their mothers.

23rd & 24th February 10am – 9pm. Admission free.

Private view: 6 - 9pm Thursday 22ndrd.

Artist’s talk and discussion 6pm Saturday 24th.

More Information: www.marybranson.com

A FREE community Breakfast in the church that is open to all in our wider community.

We serve tea and coffee with boiled eggs, toast, spreads, fresh fruit and cheese.

On the last Tuesday of the month we cook a Full English Breakfast and every eight weeks we provide a haircut too!

So come and relax in a safe, quiet space, read the daily papers or chat with the regulars.

If ever a breakfast is cancelled we will give as much prior notice as possible and place a notice in our outside display box.

The Mothers Group was founded in the 1960ies by a group of Swiss immigrants. The mothers, now grandmothers and great-grandmothers, continue to meet ever second Wednesday of the month to build old and new friendships and provide an interesting programme. 

Young mothers and fathers with the children are invited to join the meetings.

For more details please contact Marianne Fisher-Hertig on muttergruppe@outlook.com

My Glass World

Featuring "Prisoners of Gravity"

New Album Launch

More information: http://www.myglassworld.co.uk/

A FREE community Breakfast in the church that is open to all in our wider community.

We serve tea and coffee with boiled eggs, toast, spreads, fresh fruit and cheese.

On the last Tuesday of the month we cook a Full English Breakfast and every eight weeks we provide a haircut too!

So come and relax in a safe, quiet space, read the daily papers or chat with the regulars.

If ever a breakfast is cancelled we will give as much prior notice as possible and place a notice in our outside display box.

A FREE community Breakfast in the church that is open to all in our wider community.

We serve tea and coffee with boiled eggs, toast, spreads, fresh fruit and cheese.

On the last Tuesday of the month we cook a Full English Breakfast and every eight weeks we provide a haircut too!

So come and relax in a safe, quiet space, read the daily papers or chat with the regulars.

If ever a breakfast is cancelled we will give as much prior notice as possible and place a notice in our outside display box.

Service led by Niccolò Aliano. 

Everyone is welcome to join us for our Sunday service. We are an ecumenical congregation and people from Anglican, Protestant and Catholic backgrounds and no religious affiliation worship together.

The sermon is held in English. The hymns are sung in German, French and English.

The service is followed by lunch cooked by members of the congregation.

Vera the Diva was founded in 2013 by Edurne Goldaracena. Edurne, who has been dancing since the age of 6 and a full time professional teacher for over 20 years, is from San Sebastián, the Basque region of Spain. With her love for dancing, she moved to London to pursue her career and under the guidance of the legendary Sydney Francis, obtained her first teacher qualifications with the I.S.T.D. and later with the I.D.T.A.

Vera the Diva dance classes take place every Tuesday evening at the Swiss Church. There are beginner classes and more advanced levels. 

For more information and to sign up for classes please visit: https://verathediva.com/