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SubDecorative Sequences

Version 2 2021-01-24, 05:05
Version 1 2019-09-11, 00:50
composition
posted on 2021-01-24, 05:05 authored by Cat HopeCat Hope
Audio Visual art Installation with related live performances
Sequences I-IV commissioned by Linden New Art Gallery, June 2019. Install led by Karl Ockelford.

Work Overview

This is a work that is unique to each location it is shown. It features graphic music notation fixed to the walls of a room, inspired and literally ‘drawn’ from the decorative aspects of the building it is shown in, accompanied by a subtle amplification of the resonant frequency of the space. Whilst it is a stand alone audio-visual work, it is designed to be performed via a series of live music events during the installation period.

The title SubDecorative Sequences refers to musical information derived from the design and decoration of buildings, and coupled with these buildings resonant frequencies depicted as very low sine (sub) tones. It references the way decorative arts are thought of as a lesser art to altruistic aims of fine art, and how women’s art work has historically relegated to the side lines.


This installation sounds the building, metaphorically and literally. The room is transformed into a musical score, redecorated with a sound prompt, providing a new sonic meaning. This score is underpinned by the sonic resonance of the room, an omnipresent phenomena amplified to audible levels during this installation. The structural qualities of the space have a unique pitch that is at the core of this work. This work is different on each iteration.


I visit the space some time before and take recordings, photographs and rubbings of decorative features. The recordings provide the basis for subtle bass tones, and the visual material forms the basis of the music score, providing shapes, musical gestures and colour palette. The material leads to the formation of musical themes, to which I apply a range of music compositional approaches– transposition, inversion, retrograde, varying speeds and timbres – over several movements. The design of the score is tempered by practical elements of music making - the need for some instruments to breathe, for example.


The final score is applied to the walls of the room using paint and decal. The bass tones are also scored, and continue beyond the ‘live’ performance parts to conclude at a large bass amplifier sounding the fundamental frequencies of the room. The amplifier can be dramatically lit in another room, where visitors can sit and listen to the meditative sound composition even when the score is not being performed. Live performances can feature a wide range of performance approaches, as these scores can be read well by any style of musician.


Performances at Linden
1. Monash Animated Music Ensemble, Friday 28th June
2. Karina Utomo, Sage Pbbbbt and Judith Dodsworth
3.(voice), Saturday 20 June
Mary Doumany (harp), Saturday 10 August

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