Silver Print

May 27, 2020, 04:01 PM

Piece based on Gelatin silver print of Paul Monday playing the piano by Neil Stringfellow. 

"After first thinking I had a good idea I struggled with this piece. Taking a photo and trying to come up with an audio response was difficult. I had some old shellac 78s so sampled the crackle of these. I added some piano sounds and then more contemporary sounds. To me it lacked something so I got my partner to read out the catalogue text that came with the photo, that helped to frame the piece a bit more for me. I am slightly concerned however that my piece may be construed as cultural appropriation. I've spoken to my partner about this (as she is from a mixed heritage ethnicity) and under her guidance I have submitted the piece."

Part of the Smithsonian Treasures project, a collection of new sound works inspired by items from the Smithsonian Museums’ collections - for more information, see http://www.citiesandmemory.com/smithsonian