An experiment of sound and light on the brain storms into Hua Shan

An electronica and avant-garde film festival begins on a high note tonight with a free party at the Hua Shan Cultural and Creative Industry Center (華山創意文化園區). It's a party with a difference, so expect serious appreciation of difficult and even challenging music.

The Weather in My Brain Sound-Visual Art Festival II (腦天氣影音藝術季) is a nine-day event presenting local electronic musicians joined by artists from Japan and Europe, with the addition of works by experimental film directors.

Sets from Silent Agreement record company owner Huang Yi-chin (黃一晉), drum 'n' bass and experimental DJ Ty, DJ Eliza and the eclectic Punkcan will set the tone with the opening party, starting at 7pm.

Movies begin showing tomorrow with Li Jia-hua's (李家驊) 25-year-old Second Grader, at 2pm. There will be further films from local directors over the next four days, with screenings at 2pm and 7pm.

The primary concept behind the festival, said one of the festival organizers Remi Huang (黃宏駿), is experimentation, with the theme of the brain and its processes.

Inspired by ambient music (think flotation tanks,chilling out, funky beats, tribal and ethnic influences), Huang, Linus Lo, Andy Chen and Janis Wong first came up with the idea of Weather in My Brain when they were resident artists at the Taipei Art Village last year.

This year they decided to develop the concept further and provide a platform for local and foreign artists working in a variety of media to showcase their talents -- unlike rock festivals and parties.

"We [have invited] the most inspirational artists to join the festival and [create] a combination and interaction between sound, video, lights and installation," Huang said.

The music continues Thursday with Dino from Taiwan and Zbigniew Karkowski from Poland, at 8pm. A week from today Ching-Shen-Chin and Takagi Masakatsu from Japan will take to the stage. Masakatsu's music is influenced by David Sylvian and Brian Eno and he has a couple of well-respected albums under his belt.

There will be sound-and-visual performances from DJ Dee from Hong Kong, Klaus Bru (a multitalented artist from Germany living in Taiwan) and Japan's Otomo Yoshihid next Saturday, beginning at 7pm.

Closing the festival next Sunday will be Taiwan's KbN, along with SXM from the Czech Republic, Taiwan's Weathermen and Keijo Haino from Japan.

Performance note:

What: Weather in my Brain

When: Tonight to Oct. 24

Where: The Hua Shan Cultural and Creative Industry Center, 1, Bade Rd, Sec 1, Taipei (台北市八德路一段一號). Tel (02) 2392 6180.

Tickets: The shows next Thursday and Friday are NT$350 and for next Saturday and Sunday are NT$500. Film showings are NT$100. Tickets are available through www.artsticket.com.tw. An inclusive NT$850 ticket will get you into all the events.

On the Web: www.weatherbrain.idv.tw