ARCHIVE

Electronic music producer, researcher, and installation artist Joe Banks discusses “National Grid” – the highly influential sound installation, recording and performance concept, which Joe produces under the aegis of the art project Disinformation. “National Grid” is a work of electromagnetic sound art, originally created using VLF-band radio technology, later using direct line noise from live mains electricity. “National Grid” was first performed live and published on LP in 1996, and first exhibited as an art gallery sound installation in 1997. “National Grid” has since been exhibited and performed more than 40 times, most recently at the Farsight Gallery, London, Oct 2024, and LungA Skólinn, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland, May 2025. This presentation discusses technical, musical and symbolic aspects of “National Grid,” in relation to art history, and to experimental and classical music - featuring “Dnieprostrot” (Dnieper Hydro-Electric Power Station) by the Ukrainian composer Yuliy Sergeievitch Meitus, also in relation to literature - featuring short readings from the writers H.G. Wells, William F. Temple and Bruno Schulz.

Documentation + audio commentary, featuring – Disinformation “National Grid,” remix by Bruce Gilbert 1997; Disinformation “National Grid”, LP version 1996 (CD re-issue 1997); Disinformation “National Grid”, Galerie für Zeitgenössische Kunst (Leipzig) “New Forms” 2xCD 2000 (curated by Carsten Nicolai); Disinformation, live at the Dom Culture Centre (Moscow) 28 Sept 2000, featuring Mike Walter + Andy Knight; Yuliy Meitus “Dnieprostrot” circa 1932; H.G. Wells “Lord of the Dynamos” (extract) 1894; Disinformation + Strange Attractor, live at New Corsica Studios (London) 19 Nov 2004, featuring Mark Pilkington; William F. Temple “Four Sided Triangle” (extract) 1951; Bruno Schulz “Sklepy Cynamonowe” (extract) 1934; Disinformation “Barcelona” (unreleased) remix 2017.

Original programme commissioned by the Listening Arts Channel, 19 March 2021.

Video installation commissioned by Fabrica Gallery, Brighton, Nov 2001.