Last Man To Die

Artshub Award Nomination

2011-11-22T05:13:00.001-08:00

THE LAST MAN TO DIE has been shortlisted for an Artshub Award for Innovation in the Arts.

Click here to vote in the People's Choice section.

LMTD and Charles Martin at Electrofringe

2011-10-03T03:39:00.000-07:00

Charles Martin gave a talk this weekend at Electrofringe, a festival of experimental arts and culture during Newcastle's This Is Not Art meta-festival.

The talk was about Charles' artistic practice with a particular focus on the interactions between art forms, performers, audience and machines that are at the centre of his work with Last Man to Die.

review of The Last Man to Die: Installed

2011-10-03T03:32:00.000-07:00

Emma Gibson has written a review of our recent performance/installation for BMA Magazine in Canberra!

Here's a little quote:

By far the most technologically impressive feat was a scene about jellyfish – in fact, a type of jellyfish that is essentially immortal. Images of these jellyfish were projected onto the walls and Cormick, fitted with something presumably like a Wii remote, entered the performance space and danced with them. Her movements controlled the movements of the projected jellyfish, flinging them from side to side, guiding them to glide from one place to another. The message – that by controlling the jellyfish, we have the potential to control our own lifespans.

LMTD National Science Week

2011-08-31T18:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who showed up to The Last Man to Die: Installed at the Street Theatre. It was super fun! Special awesome thanks to our friends at National Science Week and The Street Theatre who helped to make it happen!

National Science Week 2011

2011-08-10T04:48:00.000-07:00

THE LAST MAN TO DIE: INSTALLED

The installation version of our nationally touring production, in Canberra at the Street Theatre for 2 days only!

Monday 22 AUGUST @ 7PM + 8:30PM
Tuesday 23RD AUGUST @ 11AM, 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 7PM + 8:30PM

The Street Theatre, Childers Street, Canberra

FREE!

Bookings helpful! (02)62471223

'Welcome to the future, have fun living forever.'

Step into the distant future and look backwards in time at THE LAST MAN TO DIE, an performance/installation from the future that YOU control. Join us as we explore the emotional and social consequences of artificial extension of human life.

Featuring computer augmented actress Hanna Cormick, Charles Martin's live electro-percussive soundtrack, the interactive visuals of Benjamin Forster and the writing of Peter Butz. This installation version of the nationally touring performance 'THE LAST MAN TO DIE' is supported by National Science Week 2011.

Review: RealTime Arts

2010-12-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

Our work "The Last Man to Die" was reviewed by Douglas Leonard as part of RealTime's writeup of Brisbane Festival Under The Radar.

Normally I’m averse to multimedia overkill, but here the futuristic setting warranted, and vindicated, its skilful use, creating a subtly retro aesthetic to match the artists’ retrograde view of the immortality industry.

...caught up in a maze of fine writing by Peter Butz and fine acting by Cormick with whom, as sadistic collaborators with technology, we were forced to repeat in an endless loop. Immortality.

The full review is available online at RealTime Arts' website.

LMTD Tours at CCAS

2010-11-21T18:29:00.000-08:00

THE LAST MAN TO DIE

Fresh from their national tour, Last Man To Die presents their interactive museum installation from the future/past.

Starring Hanna Cormick, Benjamin Forster and Peter Butz, with hologram percussionist Charles Martin live streamed from Sweden.

at CCAS- Canberra Contemporary Art Space
Gorman House
CANBERRA

Saturday December 4

Day time interactive installation
Night time live exploration

stay tuned for further details...

Review: The West Australian

2010-10-06T19:56:00.000-07:00

David Zampatti wrote a nice review of THE LAST MAN TO DIE for The West Australian (published 6/10/2010).

Last Man to Die collective’s self-titled hybrid-arts show on tour at the Blue Room is an engrossing piece of futuristic fantasy... the performance is cleverly structured so you “get it” as it goes along, and the audience participation is non-threatening and often a lot of fun.

The West's version is online here.
And David's unedited version is on his blog.

THE LAST MAN TO DIE: World Tour of Australia - 09-10:2010

2010-09-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the future, Perth and Brisbane, have fun living for ever.

LMTD Tours is pleased to announce our guided explorations into the future/past of humanity will continue throughout September and October 2010. Transtemporal entry points and suspension of disbelief fields will be activated at Perth's Blue Room Theatre from 28 September to 16 October and Brisbane Festival's Under the Radar programme.

"THE LAST MAN TO DIE" explores a future where humanity has triumphed over ageing and death and looks back at a time when people lived for barely a single century. You'll experience first hand the brave new world explored by those first immortals and the choices faced by the last to die.

THE BLUE ROOM: YOUNG ENOUGH...

TIME: 7:00pm, Tuesday - Saturday, 28:09:10 - 16:10:10

VENUE: The Blue Room Theatre, 53 James St Northbridge, Perth: map

BOOKINGS and INFO: 9227 7005 or http://www.blueroom.org.au/blueroomseasons/lastmantodie

FB: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148379715188113

LMTD BrisFest UTR

2010-09-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

World Tour of Australia --- 50% Complete!

Thx to the Under the Radar staff and to all the spectators who traversed mankind's future/past with us in Brisbane!

For the record:

BRISBANE FESTIVAL: UNDER THE RADAR

TIME: Tuesday 14th - Friday 17th of September

VENUE: The Whitlam, Metro Arts, Edward St, Brisbane CBD: map

BOOKINGS and INFO: http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/Events/0,282,4747,028200906.aspx

FB: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110606108992940

THE LAST MAN TO DIE - Trailer

2010-08-13T02:33:00.000-07:00

LMTD Tours is pleased to announce our guided explorations into the future/past of humanity will continue. This follows a series of successful pilot explorations conducted in July 2010 at The Street Theatre in Canberra.

Motion/Visual documentation of these explorations can be found in the embedded video.

LMTD Tours Transtemporal Explorers for July 2010 were:
Hanna Cormick - Personality Substrate
Benjamin Forster - Visualisation Engineer
Charles Martin - Sonification Conductor
Peter Butz - Theatrical Systems Controller, Motion Visuals Capture/Composition
Christina Hopgood - Networks/Social Liaison Officer

THE LAST MAN TO DIE - Pilot Showings July 7 and 8

2010-06-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION CITIZEN:

YOU are invited to a strictly limited pilot production of THE LAST MAN TO DIE, an interactive performance experiment allowing you to step into the distant future and look backwards in time. Join us at the Street Theatre on July 7 and 8 as we explore the emotional and social consequences of artificial extension of human life - as well as the theories and responses from literature, pop culture and the media.

This performance / installation involves interactions between the audience, live performers and computer driven audio and visuals.

THE LAST MAN TO DIE sees the venue transformed into an abandoned museum from the future that celebrates humankind's ability to extend their lifespan indefinitely. On entering the venue, you will be presented with a special ticket allowing you to influence the direction of the performance. The non-traditional performance space will allow you to explore the work and even interact with the performers.
Created by Canberra based cross-artform group, Last Man to Die, the work features actor, Hanna Cormick, artist, Benjamin Forster, percussionist Charles Martin and writer Peter Butz.

DATE: July 7 and 8
TIME: 8:30pm
TICKETS: special preview rate: $10
VENUE: Street Two, The Street Theatre 
Cnr Childers Street and University Ave 
BOOKINGS: 6247 1223 or http://www.thestreet.org.au/

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE, HAVE FUN LIVING FOREVER

Last Man to Die is supported by the ACT Government, the Australian Government
and PACT Centre for Emerging Artists.

TechNyou information service can be contacted to answer enquiries about emerging technologies: http://technyou.edu.au/ or 1800 631 276

Charles Martin speaks at NIME2010

2010-06-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

Last Man to Die's percussionist, Charles Martin, will be presenting a paper at the academic conference New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME2010) in Sydney next Friday.

The paper, Cross Artform Performance using Networked Interfaces: Last Man to Die's Vital LMTD, explains the new technologies featured in our 2009 show, Vital LMTD and how they were used to creative effect in a theatrical performance.

Charles Martin will also be presenting a studio report, Audience Interactive Performance in The Last Man to Die at the Australasian Computer Music Conference in Canberra on the 24th of June. This paper explains new techniques for interactive performance devised by Last Man to Die in 2010.

The Last Man to Die at PACT Performance Space, Sydney

2010-04-13T05:36:00.000-07:00

Last Man to Die are presenting open studio performances during our residency at PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, Sydney.

"THE LAST MAN TO DIE" is an active and interactive experiment which allows you to step into the distant future and look backwards in time. Join us as we explore mankind's reaction to near-future technologies such as extended lifespan, A.I. and brain-computer interfaces.

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Abts3nlmaustrflis is pleased to announce the!nqening of new ehhibision exp\oring hunanity's dark past and bright fdtstd. Experience first"hand the hardships of `!few ce^turies aho and the shod[inh ssory oe of our escape from poverty, diseatb `Nd death.\
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A spokesman from tfe Curator-GenerQl\'s!office proclaimed, \``following thE opening bbnquet on Friday, 12th March, the centrepiece of the exhibition will be revealed. A high-accuracy reproduction of the famous last man to die will be activated and"released into the exhibitorium. Patrons++\\\\++to interrogate the reproduction and ascersain his true!nmtivations - did he spurn society, or did socgety spern him\?⁂るconvertUTF82Char: error2 74! ￴は社伛を拒絶⁙る社会の彼を拒紶したのですが\'']

When: 6-8pm Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th April
Where: PACT Centre for Emerging Artists, 107 Railway Pde, Erskineville, Sydney
What: An interactive installation / performance plus open discussion of techniques, technology and the future of cross-artform performance.
Price: Free!

Video Stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-last-man-to-die/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105125169529044
Press Release: http://www.charlesmartin.com.au/press/press_files/LMTD-PACTCentre-PressRelease-sml.pdf

The Last Man to Die - 12th March 2010

2010-03-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

"The Last Man to Die" was performed at Belconnen Theatre on 12th of March 2010. We had over 60 wonderful participants in our first experiment of 2010!

Here's an overview video of our work which we will continue to develop for future (and past?) performances.

The Last Man to Die - 90 second overview from Charles Martin on Vimeo.

And some photos....

And a full video of the theatrette screen during our third performance on Friday (30 minutes):

The Last Man to Die (12th March 2010) from Charles Martin on Vimeo.

"THE LAST MAN TO DIE" showing times announced- 7pm/ 8pm/ 9pm

2010-03-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

Belconnen Theatre Friday March 12- $0

This exciting experimental art event is kindly supported by the A.C.T. Government.

P.S. This is the best thing in Canberra on Friday.

``THE LAST MAN TO DIE'' - open 12.3.10, Belconnen Theatre

2010-03-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

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``THE LAST MAN TO DIE" is an active and interactive experiment which allows you to step into the distant future and look backwards in time. Join us as we explore mankind's reaction to near-future technologies such as extended lifespan, A.I. and brain-computer interfaces.

Featuring: Hanna Cormick, Benjamin Forster and Charles Martin
Presenting: an interdisciplinary blend of drawing, percussion and performance.
Best served chilled.

This special event opens 12.3.10 at Belconnen Theatre and is supported by the A.C.T. Government.

Video Documentation

2010-03-01T21:03:00.000-08:00

Last Man to Die, the cross artform collaboration of Hanna Cormick (actor), Benjamin Forster (artist) and Charles Martin (percussionist), was founded in late 2008 during their collaboration with Canberra's Hunting Season on the work Cognition performed at Belconnen Theatre and The Street Theatre (Canberra) as well as La Mama Theatre (Melbourne). A revised version was featured in Charles Martin's Master of Music recitals at the ANU School of Music (Canberra).

In 2009, Last Man to Die were invited to participate in The Street Theatre's Made in Canberra season, producing Vital LMTD, a cross-disciplinary response to the creation and definition of life.

In 2010, supported by the A.C.T. Government's ArtsACT organisation, Last Man to Die are developing and performing their long-planned-for work - The Last Man to Die, an installation/performance exploring the possible consequences of indefinite extension of human life.

The Last Man to Die was shown as a work in progress at Belconnen Theatre on 12th March 2010 and Last Man to Die is currently pursuing opportunities for development and performance of this work throughout 2010 and into the future.

Videos documentation of Last Man to Die's works are presented below in reverse chronological order.

The Last Man to Die (2010) - 90 second overview from Charles Martin on Vimeo.

Vital LMTD (2009) 2 minute overview from Charles Martin on Vimeo.

Last Man to Die: Cognition (2008) 5 minute overview from Charles Martin on Vimeo.

Script Development

2010-02-24T17:56:00.000-08:00

The Last Man to Die in 2010

2010-01-12T15:23:00.000-08:00

We've started our new project for 2010, a series of performances throughout Australia (and hopefully, THE WORLD) called The Last Man to Die, beginning at Belconnen Theatre on March 12.

That's right, the mysterious meaning behind the name of our group is about to be revealed. Or is it?

The videos below are from our workshop at Canberra Youth Theatre in December last year. They give a taste of our work.

Last Man to Die at CYT - FaceTracker from Charles Martin on Vimeo.

Last Man to Die at CYT - Chemicals from Charles Martin on Vimeo.

Trinculo - Review

2010-01-12T14:57:00.000-08:00

Joe Woodward of Shadow House Pits. Gave us a nice review of our recent works in his newsletter:

"breaking through cultural and artistic tunnel vision"
"The group has successfully found a way of utilizing tensions between the competing art forms to pave a collaboration that is technically sophisticated and conceptually original. It is the kind of work that needs life in European and Latin American festivals."

Thanks!

artsACT super support

2010-01-08T19:21:00.000-08:00

Last Man To Die have successfully sought funding from artsACT for development of their new work in 2010.

Stay tuned for exciting developments...

Showing at Canberra Youth Theatre

2009-12-08T16:05:00.000-08:00

We're showing a few of our new works at Canberra Youth Theatre, 9th December at 6pm!

Come and be another data point in our ongoing exploration of life and death while being refreshed by iced tea and scones.

Preparing for CYT --- Sparkfun orders

2009-11-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

Just ordered some fun things for our CYT residency:

LilyPad Bright White LED	$2.13	4	$8.52
WiiChuck Adapter	$3.22	2	$6.45
Vibration Motor	$5.41	4	$21.64
Arduino USB Board	$32.73	1	$32.73
Arduino Ethernet Shield	$50.21	1	$50.21
Arduino Stackable Header - 6 Pin	$0.55	2	$1.09

The plan is to wire up Hanna with accelerometers and methods for physical feedback.

Finished at the Street Theatre! - New projects

2009-11-02T17:28:00.000-08:00

Our season of "Vital LMTD" at the Street Theatre has closed. We had a great time!

Here's a video overview of Vital LMTD.

Our next project is a development residency at Canberra Youth Theatre in Ainslie. Look out for our special showing on 9th December! More soon.

Photos from "Vital LMTD":

Reviews and News!

2009-10-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

We've been reviewed in the Canberra Times by Glenn Burns (29th October 2009, Times 2, page 9).

"like many experiments it proves to be worth the effort"

"it is experimental rather than gimmicky, the ideas are challenging, humour is effectively though sparingly used and each of the performer's brings their own considerable individual talents to the production."

"If you want to see three genuinely creative young Canberrans adventurously exploring ideas and modes of expression, then give Vital LMTD a go."

Meanwhile, Charles' Networked Heartbeat Sensor, featured in Vital LMTD was featured on Makezine.com this morning.

"Looks like a great input option for those interested in experimenting with biofeedback."

Vital LMTD continues at the Street Theatre in Canberra until Friday 30th of October.

Last Man to Die presents VITAL LMTD

2009-10-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

Tea. Biscuits. Speculation.
Test Tubes. Voodoo. Confrontation!
Which side will you choose?

Last Man to Die takes you on a cross-art journey to the future, melding theatre, music and visual art in a showdown between artists to find new life - even if they have to cheat, steal, calculate, reanimate, and not pull punches to get there.

Vital LMTD questions what it means to live and what it means to die. What it means to stare oblivion in the face, and to steal oblivion's last macaroon. But who will be the last one left alive?

Following our packed out preview at Newcastle's Crack Theatre Festival, Vital LMTD is coming to The Street Theatre in Canberra!

24th October, 2009 - The Street Theatre, Canberra
Presented at: Street 2 (The Street Theatre), Childers St, Canberra.
8pm Saturday 24th October, Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th October 2009
Tickets: $20 (Concession $15)
Bookings: 62471223, www.thestreet.org.au
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=182316336279

Last Man to Die at Belconnen Arts Centre

2009-10-13T05:23:00.000-07:00

Last Man to Die have invaded Belconnen Arts Centre for a week of intensive development!

Vital LMTD at This Is Not Art

2009-10-06T17:05:00.001-07:00

Last Man to Die performed a preview of our upcoming project Vital LMTD at Newcastle's famous This Is Not Art festival.
Thankyou so much to our audience who attended the two performances at the Crack Theatre Festival. Especially to those who stood at the back and in the corridor! Also, thanks to David Finnigan and Gillian Schwab, the illustrious managers. This was Crack's debut year and they made it a seriously cool and happening part of This Is Not Art.

Photos courtesy of Peter Butz

1st October, 2009 - Crack Theatre Festival, Newcastle (part of This Is Not Art)

Presented at: The Crackhouse - Performing Arts Newcastle (PAN) Building, 5 Auckland St, Newcastle!

Date: 7pm, Thursday 1st October! 8pm, Friday 2nd October!

Tickets: Free!

Information: cracktheatrefestival.com

Facebook: Event Page

Costume creator Christina + Photographer Rohan = Awesome

2009-09-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

We commissioned our aristocratic-lab-coat costumes from percussionist and clandestine gothic-lolita Christina! Observe the results. Photo by our wonderful photographer Rohan Thomson.

Biography

2009-06-01T02:40:00.000-07:00

Last Man To Die is an active experiment in the relationship and interaction between three, traditionally distinct, art forms - Drawing, Performance, and Percussion. This experiment takes three artists, each successful in their own disciplines, and through active synthesis and disjunction attempts to generate a new and common expression.

In this experiment each discipline is equal but not equivalent, each has influence and is influenced and each is dependent and independent. We exploit the nature of digital technologies to provide a common language for immediate communication and interaction between the different art forms. Each one becomes a data source for the others.

In examining these modes of communication Last Man To Die is attempting to challenge and question the dichotomy between human 'reason' and 'spirit' in the practice of art.

Last Man to Die was founded in 2008, emerging from the cross-artform Collaboration "Cognition"as part of The Hunting Season. Various works have been featured at La Mama Theatre - Melbourne, Australian National University School of Music- Canberra, The Street Theatre - Canberra and This is Not Art festival - Newcastle.

In 2009 Last Man to Die were awarded the emerging artists residency with Canberra Youth Theatre at Gorman House where they collaborated with scriptwriter and video artist Peter Butz to reconceptualise one of their works "VITAL LMTD". In 2010 Last Man to Die successfully sought arts funding from the A.C.T. Government to develop their new work "The Last Man to Die" to be presented in Canberra and throughout Australia this year.