Metal as a metaphor for life… Metal as a projection of one’s self…

Fatigue is a process that locally changes the properties of a material under stress. It can lead to the formation of cracks in the material and eventually to a fracture of the structure. The main stages of fatigue are: embrittlement due to external forces, propagation of cracks, and final fracture.

The following keywords have inspired the behavioural universe of the materials and the global development of the piece: external force, yield strength (material resilience), distortion (temporary/permanent), crack, fracture, primitive material defects, alloys, casting, and starting anew.

The collapse of the Québec Bridge in 1907 was one of the major symbolic elements at play in this project. It served as the trigger, initiating the conceptualization and execution of this piece.

Ingredients: metal, transforming agents, underwater recordings.

— Martin Bédard [English translation: François Couture, i-13]

Métal fatigue [Fatigue Metal] was realized in 2012 at the composer’s studio (Montréal) and during trips to Havre-Aubert (Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec) and Saint-Eugène (L’Islet, Québec). Thanks to Christian Bouchard, Georges Forget, Robert Normandeau, and Stéphane Roy, not to forget Marie-Hélène Breault, Geneviève Deraspe, and Jimmie LeBlanc. Métal fatigue received a mention at the 9th Musicacoustica-Beijing competition (China, 2012).

Awards

• Mention, Group A2: Electroacoustic (fixed medium), Musicacoustica-Beijing Competition of Electronic Music Composition 2012, Beijing (China)