Anat Ben-David

Anat Ben-David thinks in terms of ‘systems’ rather than ‘mediums’, combining materials, technologies and different disciplines into operatic artworks. Through a process she named OpeRaart, Ben-David composes musical albums, directs and performs in films and videos, and orchestrates and performs in live stage and telematic events. Kairos OpeRaArt, staged at the Victoria and Albert Museum for the Reveal Festival (July 2017), is one example of a multidisciplinary activity that combines composition, performance, video, and sound installation. As well as working on several albums as a member of Chicks On Speed (since 2002), Ben-David has released four solo albums, all with accompanying video works. She has presented her work internationally at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Britain, ICA and Stanley Picker Gallery in London; MoMA, New York; Migros Museum, Zurich; Borealis Festival, Bergen; Beursschouwburg, Brussels; MoMAK, Kyoto; Montermeso Vitoria and Mosak, Spain; ZKM, Karlsruhe Germany; and HAU, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, and Volksbühne in Berlin. 

During her residency at Somerset House, Ben-David has released several musical and performance works. Her album Tzipora (September 2019), written and performed with collaborators Anna Dennis, Richard Scott and Catharine Cary, was accompanied by video works. She has also developed several collaborative improvisational projects with Chicks On Speed, some of which extended internationally into telematic events (Corona Improve and AWNJS, ARS ELECTRONICA, 2020). She will continue developing telematics performances with international collaborators, while finishing her new album The Promise Of Meat, with the accompanying video works to be released in early 2021.