Middle East PhoNographic Mornings #13/15
Each Morning of the World #10
Sana ~ Yemen
"Fajr in Old Sana"
Maksims Shentelevs
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Fajr in Old Sana
In December 2006 we made a month long trip to Yemen, with our destination in Shibam Shibam. Though before heading to our destination we spent almost a week in Sana – capital of Yemen in order to get permits to travel on our own over the desert.
Recording made during this period captured Fajr prayer, which in Arabic is "dawn prayer". It’s the earliest prayer of the five prayers, technically being the third prayer of the day as an Islamic day starts at sunset. Recorded at 4:15 AM from the rooftop of the house in the very heart of historical city of Old Sana. The loud reciting of imams from mosques all around is carried over the roof terraces of downtown, overlayering in natural, sacred polyphony.
The time period of Fajr prayer is from the beginning of dawn to sunrise.

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Maksims Shentelevs
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born 1978, is an architect and sound artist from Riga, Latvia. In his works Author focuses on observation of sound structures of small biotopes in order to uncover and record tiny sounds left beyond hearing. In his work treats soundscape as a complex system. Performs as sound artist in theater as well as lecturer and workshop conductor. Works with sound for films, animation, contemporary dance, performing arts and installations. Founder of international sound art platform bernurits, which focuses on site-specific research and improvisations in-situ. Sound works relised internationally on labels: gruenrekorder [de]; universinternational [fr]; MYSTERY SEA [be]; MUU [fi]; sir-ecords [pt]; art magazines and radio stations: KUNST.EE [est]; SKAN [lv]; frameworkradio.net [uk]; Radio NABA [lv]; NTS [uk]. Collaborates with art and research centers: MOKS [est]; BINAURALMEDIA.ORG [pt]; Stazione di Topolò [it]; NCCA.RU [ru]; New Thetre Institute of Latvia [lv]; skanumezs [lv]; zemlika [lv]; RIXC [lv]; Ma Space [lv]; BAL [lv]. Is a lecturer in RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, department of media and comunication. Conducts workshops in collaboration with John Grzinich, Patrick McGinley, Ieva Balode.


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www.bernurits.com
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