‘Brutti ma Buoni’ is a commissioned work by Hotel Hotel which seeks to build knowledge and appreciation of Brutalist architecture in Canberra.

The work consists of two parts – a short film of Brutalist buildings, co-directed by Coco & Maximilian and U-P; and an accompanying live score by Speak Percussion that interprets them aurally. Together they observe and orchestrally arrange Brutalism.

The screening and performance work together to create a different experience of Brutalism – one that doesn’t ask us what we think, but rather, one that asks us to feel and question Brutalist architecture with our senses.

What can we see when we really look at these monolithic structures in detail? When holding our gaze what do their rough textures, shadows and unadorned geometries reveal? What might these beasts sound like? Cavernous and vast? Drone-like? Repetitive? Hypnotic? Oppressive, optimistic or sublime?

This is the first screening and performance of ‘Brutti ma Buoni’ in Canberra – Australia’s home of Brutalism. Monster kitchen and bar will be running a cash bar serving up Brutalist influenced drinks before and after the performance.

After the screening, Australian composer and sound designer Tilman Robinson will play a vinyl set with 20th century art music, modern minimalism and experimental music that reflects on the stark and modular nature of the brutalist-style.

‘Brutti ma Buoni’ features the interiors and exteriors of some of Canberra’s most notable Brutalist buildings including Llewellyn Hall, National Gallery of Australia, National Carillon, High Court of Australia, University of Canberra Village, and Black Mountain Library.

Performance details

Friday 2 June from 6.30PM.
Nishi Gallery,
17 Kendall Lane, Canberra.

Free event. RSVP essential.

Speak Percussion

Speak Percussion has defined the sound of 21st century Australian percussion music through the creation and presentation of ambitious arts projects. Internationally recognised as a leader in the fields of experimental and contemporary classical music, Speak are constantly seeking to redefine the potential of percussion.

Speak Percussion have performed works at MONA FOMA (Australia), Melbourne Festival (Australia), Techtonics – Adelaide Festival (Australia), Maerzmusik (Germany), SONICA (UK), Barbican (UK), Tage für Neue Musik, Zurich (Switzerland), TIPC (Taiwan), Salihara (Indonesia), CONNECT (Sweden), ARENA (Latvia), GAIDA (Lithuania), Batteries IV (Switzerland) and Café OTO (UK).

“Virtuosic and adventurous” – New York Times

Speak Percussion showreel

Tilman Robinson

Tilman Robinson is an Australian composer, producer and sound designer based in Melbourne. He creates electro-acoustic music across a range of genres including classical minimalism, improvised, experimental, electronic and ambient musics. Academy trained in the fields of both classical and jazz composition, Tilman’s diverse output focuses on the psychological impact of sound.

"Tilman mesmerised an audience ... with music that was at once soothing and avant-garde, but never anything other than warmly human" –The Guardian

Image of National Gallery of Australia. Film still shot by Coco & Maximilian