Anat Ben-David, Short Bio

Anat Ben-David is a performance and video artist works and lives in London, UK, using text and processed- digitally vocal as her core activity- from which she produces live sound and performance work and installations. She performs and shows as a solo artist, as well as, a collaborator.

The work of Anat Ben-David follows the tradition of sound performance as art practice- treating sound text and visuals, developed through improvisational dynamics, digital and analogue of body and voice, processing, her work features both as stage performance and as installation, delivering challenging energetic performance with conceptual engagement.

Currently attending PHD Program at Kingston university in London, her thesis – “Oscillation and disturbance in ‘Op-eRa-art’” is looking at strategies and implications of the musical composition coming out of Word-Sound crescendos entering the visual realm.

Anat began experimenting in theatre and performance; at the ‘School Of Visual Theatre’ in Jerusalem(1991-1994)she became an artist in residence at "Habama theatre" and developed a unique -video performance style.

After moving to London in 2000, she graduated (with distinction) at Goldsmiths College in 2003 (MA fine arts). “Popaganda project”; her final piece at goldsmiths, made a comparisons of power structures and symbolism between the pop- idol and fascist politics, it was awarded Goldsmiths purchase prise 2003. ‘Popaganda’ expanded to become a video installation at ‘Wonderyears’ exhibition at the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin and included: a solo independent album, live performance and live political action at Hugo Boss Party 2003.

Along side a fruitful solo career, she became a collaborative member of Art band “Chicks On Speed” and part of art performance group, formed with Douglass Gordon; “Art Rules Crew” 2006-2009. She released her solo album “Virtual Leisure” in 2008.

Anat showed work as solo artist and as a collaborator in leading international institutes including: Beursschouwburg, in Brussels –“Tearing off a Piece”, Momak, The National museum of Modern Art Kyoto- “Art –Rules Kyoto”, “Pop rally at the MOMA”- New York, Montermeso- Vitoria, Spain -“Switch on the power”, Pompidou Centre Paris FR. Tate Britain, UK, Mosak contemporary museum, Spain, Migros museum-Zuric "Its Time for Action..." Borealis Festival 2012/13,

“Anat is a wonderful performer… part Laibach, a dash of Einsturzende Neubauten, add a touch of Marlene Dietrich and Doris Day, marinate it in a freezer with Busby Berkeley, Pina Bausch and Valie Export, et voila! That's what the image of her shows at that time... it's accurate, believe me. As for me trying to squeeze my tiny ego into a portrait by Rankin, well, the results speak for themselves. If in any doubt, please call 999 and ask for the fire service."

(Douglass Gordon (destroy Rankin project for youth music 2009)