Patti Smith and Soundwalk Collective will give their premiere live performances of CORRESPONDENCES in Japan on Tuesday, April 29th at the Rohm Theatre in Kyoto.

CORRESPONDENCES CORRESPONDENCES is an ever-evolving project between Soundwalk Collective and Patti Smith that spans over ten years and traverses a wealth of geographies, histories, and natural environments. The process sees Soundwalk Collective’s Stephan Crasneanscki visit distant lands of poetic inspiration and historical significance, collecting sonic memories through field recordings. Smith then composes poems through an intimate dialogue with his recordings, whilst Soundwalk Collective edits visuals to match the soundtrack. This process of “correspondence” has resulted in the eight video works that form the core of the exhibition and performance. These works explore themes such as the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, forest fires and the mass extinction of animals, while also referencing artists and revolutionaries such as Andrei Tarkovsky, Jean-Luc Godard, Pier Paolo Pasolini, and Pyotr Kropotkin; questioning the relationship between man and nature, the role of the artist and the nature of humanity.

Previous formats of CORRESPONDENCES have included live performances, exhibitions, film screenings, poetry readings and workshops. These works have been presented around the world, including at the Venice Biennale and the Museum of Modern Art in Medellín, Colombia. In 2022, they also produced an exhibition titled Evidence at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
An advanced sales lottery for the matinee and evening performances begins on the e+ website on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 10:00 AM. For more details, please see the Kyotophonie website.
This event is part of the Kyotophonie music festival which will be held at various locations across the city from Saturday, April 12th to Sunday, May 11th alongside its sister event, KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival.
“Each year KYOTOPHONIE brings together an eclectic mix of local and international artists to perform in Kyoto. Held annually in the Spring and Autumn, the festival was established in 2023 by Lucille Reyboz and Yusuke Nakanishi, co-founders of the KYOTOGRAPHIE International Photography Festival. Both festivals connect Kyoto with the world, transcending traditional genres, venues, and boundaries.”
Other artists scheduled to perform are Filipe Catto and KOM_I — both at Hulic Hall Kyoto on April 19th.
The KYOTOGRAPHIE / KYOTOPHONIE / KG+ Kick-Off Party will be held at Japan’s oldest nightclub, CLUB METRO, on Saturday, April 12th. For more details, please see the Kyotophonie website.