Compilation I

First in a series of sound sculptures called Compilations. This one took the least amount of time to create, and came, like all of these have from a pile of "junk". The role of object/audience/artist are challenged in this piece. It can be taken on various different levels: aesthetically, aurally and hopefully conceptually, depending on how you choose to view it. It's quite open to interpretation so I don't want to go on about what I think it all means, but I'd say it's more of an experience than a video, though at least you can see/hear the "performance in this small clip. 

                                          Compilation I
                                          Wood, metal, tin whistles, pendulum mechanism
                                           (2011)

sound sculpture, attempt no.million

This is the result of SO many attempts to create a sound sculpture out of various electronic devices. Initially the plan was to add on a clock mechanism (handmade) to a radio, so that when wound up the tuner would move creating bizarre static noise along with time, sadly this was impossible. Instead, having regrouped in my head, I went back to initial plans to work specifically with sound and equally importantly with audience participation, so now the viewer has to wind up the handle, then the weight pulls the cog of the tuner round slowly, so you hear the static changing at an appropriate speed. This gives the viewer a new role...you become the artist/composer and musician, fulfilling this new machine's purpose, or at least its function.

I've managed to get my hands on a washing machine, which I will be mucking around with as soon as possible, fun times ahead!

shhing people

Next step...involving the people...I went round shhing people with the sign, really quite fun. But given that it's a sound piece...it may have made sense to record the sound, but ah well, next time.

shh goes walkies

I tried taking the sign out and taking photos of it in different environments, leaving it in places and sometimes sitting far away with a camera recording people's reactions, sadly most people ignored it, but some of the photos are quite interesting. It's not quite working to it's full potential though.

SHH.

Wanting to take the humour and "shh." further out in to the public domain to get the masses involved, I created a "SHH." sign (below).

sound paintings

 Inspired by John Baldessari's word paintings, I wanted to take his idea further in to the sound realm and created these sound paintings (above). Using onomatopoeic words the idea was that the viewer reads through them, hearing each of the sounds in their heads, then the "SHH." creates a weird pause, which I feel adds a slight humour to the piece too. I tried singling out the "SHH." (below), the initial idea being to take it around places and see how people reacted, but then given that it's on a canvas, I thought people might just put it down to being a weird art thing and dismiss it, so some re thinking is it order.

Is This Thing On? Post PV

Incredibly, in spite of the snow people came to see the show, many many thanks to those who braved the cold weather for it! Altogether I'd say it was a bit of a success, fantastic to see our work up in a real gallery situation out in London, first of many to come hopefully. I'd say though, for networking's sake, I really need to get some business cards, some people were interested in the work, and it would've been better if I could've given them a card to keep them updated, so for future people who will get this website, welcome to my blog.

The participatory piece where I got the audience to shout at a piece of paper with a megaphone was successful, quite a big mark was made as a result of the soundwaves, I really want to develop this idea. It's been suggested that I simplify my idea a bit again, so I'm not sure where to go next, but I'm thinking more simple, but much bigger, perhaps stepping in to the relms of installation? Definitely with an element of audience participation though, maybe try and draw on some inspiration from other artists I've been told to look at.

Here are some pics from the exhibition for those who couldn't make it..and those who just want to see it again in all it's glory :D