After studying fine arts in Bremen in the 1970s, German artist Rolf Julius became interested in the sonic medium. Crossing the boundaries between visual and sound arts, his work is seen as pioneer. From the desert, trees, to the closed space of galleries, Julius performed in a variety of contexts. Using sound to support the reception of visual objects, his sonic sculptures and installations went beyond classic oppositions between mediums. While working in New York in the 1980s, he met many of the avant-garde composers. Among them John Cage and Takehisa Kosugi came to have a deep influence on his work. Beginning with a live in-studio performance, this episode follows with a discussion with Carl Stone who asks Julius about his creative and technical processes and his conceptions about art. They play various pieces by the artist such as The Lost Piano Concerto and Music for a Big Tower (1987).

PIECES AND RECORDINGS FROM:

Rolf Julius, Live performance in KPFK studios, Los Angeles (1988) [Opening and closing credits]

Rolf Julius, The Lost Piano Concerto

Rolf Julius, Music for a Big Tower (1987)

Rolf Julius, Piece for the Trees