Biography of David Forlano
sound/performance
DAVID FORLANO is a versatile multimedia performer/composer whose proficiency spans both the electronic and acoustic arena of sound. As a musician, he has studied saxophone, guitar and classical Indian tabla. He is self taught in electronics and found sound constructions. His work has an essential freshness in combining unique or "broken" time signatures, minimal elements, and surprising textures. David is an avid improviser.
David’s work with Choreographers in Philadelphia (1994- 2001) led to his explorations in movement. His performance works often incorporated movement, found object instruments, video, and live and recorded sound. David has been supported by funds from The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Meet the Composer and presented at venues in San Francisco, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York.
partial listing of works
David's independent works include the guitar trio "Spelvin’s Trio" (1994) and the movement / percussion duet "Late October" (1995) His full length multi-media pieces "Paper/Light/Sound" (1997) and "Footprint/Songline" (1998) incorporate video as light source, score and imagery, "Cycle Three" (2000) and "Sound Constellation" (2000). David was musician /composer/ performer with choreographer Roko Kawai in Roko Kawai Projects (1994 – 2002). Other dance credits (between 1994-2004)include work with choreographers Leah Stein, Leslie Dworkin, Kent DeSpain, Josie Smith and Patricia Graham.
In film, he has created sound scores for "Dirty Habit" "The Benefactor" and "Wishing Well" by director Bryan Root. In theater, he composed music for "Wounds to the Face" (directed by Timothy Holst, 2000) and "Twelfth Night "(directed by Mark Lord,1998). Educational programs include a collaborative children’s concert "Music and Garbage" (1996) at the International House of Philadelphia, a music/dance program for abused women at My Sister’s Place (1998-99), and a residency for the professional music, dance and light community in New Zealand (1999).
Currently David is creating short videos with his wife, Debrianna Mansini, for CurrentTV .
In 1988, Steve Ford and David Forlano began collaborating on jewelry design under the name City Zen Cane. Working with the new material, polymer clay, their early production work was characterized by bright colors and complex caned cross sectional patterns. Ford and Forlano were early innovators in what is now a popular craft material. They taught workshops nationally, self-published two calendars of polymer clay work.
Today, Ford and Forlano primarily make one of a kind pieces under their own names. With the introduction of precious materials such as sterling silver, gold and pearls, their work is the boldest and most expressive to date. The forms and surfaces resemble organic structures such as those found washed up on a beach. They have complex, layered surface treatments and the colors are mysterious and unusual. Ford and Forlano strive to give each element in a piece it’s own diverse character while still making it look unified and whole.
In May, 2005, David moved west to live in Santa Fe, NM. He has a studio there, and the two artists send work back and forth across the country, continuing their collaboration.