William Basinski Performs Cascade in Dan Flavin-illuminated Milan Church

On May 17, 2017, experimental musician and sound artist William Basinski performed his piece "Cascade" at Santa Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa, Milan. The event was presented by Basemental and Threes. The church features a permanent light installation by minimalist artist Dan Flavin within the 1930s architecture of Giovanni Muzio. Basinski, known for his Disintegration Loops series conceptually tied to the September 11 attacks, creates impressionistic soundscapes using tape loops, field recordings, piano phrases, and slow micro-movements. His work evokes the compositions of Arvo Pärt and the meditative atmosphere of ambient music. The performance was accompanied by ambient sounds of the audience, which the writer reflects on as part of the experience. The article draws parallels to Robert Bresson's film "Diary of a Country Priest" and Paul Schrader's concept of the transcendent in cinema.