No Man's Land Premiere, Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Gate Photography.
Jack Hooker and Mateusz Szemraj - Fort III, Przemyśl, Poland
No Man's Land - Cover
No Man's Land Premiere, Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Gate Photography.
No Man's Land
John Psathas
2016
'The No Man’s Land Project is an 80-minute live cinematic concert and a future-length film. It’s a deeply moving multi-media work that spans generations, continents, cultures and beliefs, and reflects on the devastating impact and futility of war. Commissioned from acclaimed New Zealand composer John Psathas, The No Man’s Land Project was premiered as a centrepiece of New Zealand’s First World War commemorations in 2016.
150 musicians descended from opposing forces of the Great War and filmed on significant battlefields around the world are projected alongside a live, seven-piece international ensemble. The musicians, both live and virtual, perform as one global orchestra to create an exhilarating visual and musical experience. Artists include Oum El Ghait (Morocco), Meeta Pandit (India), Bijan Chemirani (Iran/France), Marta Sebestyen (Hungary), Vagelis Karipis (Greece), Serj Tankian (Armenia/USA), Refugees of Rap (Syria), Derya Turkan and Saddredin Ozcimi (Turkey) and many many more.'
Jack was heavily involved with John Psathas' No Man’s Land project between 2014 and 2016, receiving a full scholarship from The New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī to complete a Master’s Degree in Composition while working on the project. He traveled with the three-month international production across Poland, Belgium, France, India, and New Zealand, primarily serving as assistant recording engineer with legendary Greek audio engineer George Kariotis. He also participated in the national New Zealand tour, which included performances at the Wellington and Auckland International Arts Festivals, WOMAD, and several regional cities.
Jack contributed creatively to the project as well, appearing in the film performing guitar inside an abandoned military bunker on the Polish–Ukrainian border, and adding synth textures to the section Shellshock. In 2020, he was scheduled to perform as guitarist in the live band for a one-off show at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall in Greece, which was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
