Xu has always been interested in the relationship between music and performance art, exploring the field of ‘Expanded Cinema’ – a term coined in the mid-1960s by American experimental filmmaker Stan Vanderbeek that describes work both inside and outside of the gallery including live performance, projector pieces, video and a range of media environments. Awkward Moments was born out of this concept
, and was first launched in London in May 2017. For series V – premiered at Houghton Festival 2018 – Xu brought in classically trained multi-instrumentalist and singer Maguire to co-write and perform the 40 minute piece of music entitled ‘An Entropic Cycle’. The pair layer interweaving electronic beats over organic instruments and atmospheric vocals to mirror the relationship between the tangible and the ethereal; between fragmentation and order. This concept is further explored visually using multimedia projection of abstract video content. Awkward Moments is divided into six chapters each one leading us through the different cycles of life, death and rebirth. In the words of Virginia Woolf - ‘I see myself as a fish in a stream; deflected; held in place; but cannot describe the stream.’ This is their attempt to recreate that stream of existence through music and visuals. Xu and Maguire are currently writing Series V.2 “A Strange Odyssey” which they will perform at this year’s Houghton Festival.