“Resonant Transmutations”
Interdisciplinary project premiered at Modulus Festival, a music biennale in Vancouver, Canada, organized and supported by Music on Main.
This is a project by Pedram Baldari, through which he has developed 7 instruments/sound sculptures using decommissioned firearms acquired through the Art is My Weapon gun buyback program in collaboration with the Minneapolis Police Department. Matthew Rahaim is the composer of this project.
Click here to learn more about this performance.
I have been interviewed for this project by Stir Magazine and Pancouver, which can provide more context regarding the work.
Project’s Credits:
Pedram Baldari: Project’s Lead Artist, creator of the instruments made from the decommissioned weapons
Matthew Rahaim: Composer, Voice, Jîwan (made from decommissioned rifles)
Cherolyn Kay Fischer: Woodwind (made from decommissioned rifles)
Dameun Strange: Woodwind (made from decommissioned rifles)
Nathan Hanson: Woodwind (made from decommissioned rifles)
Aida Shahghasemi: Kamanche, Vocal, Daff
Ahmad Yousefbeigi: Percussion, Chimes
Michael Duffy: Sound Design
The musical pieces in this performance composed by Matt Rahaim:
I: Heart-Arsenal
I.1 Death is Rhythm Suspended
I.2 Won’t you come Home
I.3 The Call
I.4 Glittering and Jumping Against Each Other
I.5 The Crux
I.6 Death Suspended
II: Çirîkey Jiyanewa (“Revitalizing Heart-Song”)
II.1 Sard Hai Parda (Cold is the Veil)
II.2 Surkh Hai Aahan (Red is the Iron)
II.3 Dheemi Hai Tabdil (Slow is the Transmutation)
Photos below are from the preliminary performance event in Minneapolis, MN, Oct 2025. Photo Credit: Alex Petterson
