as part of FAXEN
radio-piece, 2020
06:15 min, stereo

Based on a multi-media installation, Firedrake (radio edit) examines attempts of the Chinese government to censor foreign short wave radio stations (also called jamming) and methods to avoid these interferences by manipulating radios. By constantly playing an one hour long piece of Chinese folk music entitled
“Firedrake“, radio stations such as Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and BBC World Service are muted by the Chinese authorities. In order to bypass Chinese jamming DIY adaptations of radios, so called anti-jamming antennas are used. The multiple materials needed for these antennas are the starting point for an acoustic improvisation that can be heard in this piece. In addition, excerpts from an interview on jamming activities of the Chinese government, recordings from shortwave radio stations and the original Chinese Firedrake broadcast are part of this composition.