Wk 29 // pre-seminar planning

[Ongoing blogpost - will update throughout the week]

This week involves:

• testing and putting together the speakers I will use for installation ✓

• measuring my space + drafting up a seating plan ✓

• Bunnings run + some light building of stuff ✓

• finalising my recordings for presentation ✓

• finishing my oral presentation slides ✓

• install speakers (countersink into wall)

• build benches for seating

My plan is to install a sound work in the space. Initially this was going to involve some panel speakers I made earlier in the year, but their output and aesthetic doesn't work very well, and I don't want their flaws dragging down the work... After some quick research, I found some small marine speakers which can be embedded in the walls, and did some soldering work to get them prepped for install. Fingered crossed it should go smoothly...

At present, there will be 4 tracks operating together in the space - both as individuals, and as a collective. Their recording took place at Takapuna's fossil forest and Waiwera beach at low tide, listening to the rocks, waves, reefs, pools, sand, cliffs, and unseen inhabitants of these spaces... The ecological orchestra of sorts :)

Currently, I am planning to have 4-6 speakers in the room with an individual track playing from each, however if I am able to find more to borrow I may include them too. I am also working on a narrative statement for the work, and still thinking of how to title everything...

Audio Mixing

Didn't expect to be learning another skillset this late in the year! Finally figured out how to create unique stereo mixes in Audacity (tried Audition too, but I think the learning curve is too steep for me right now).

Temporality and duration in the space

As a way to encourage people to stay in the space, I have started building some simple bench seats to put in the room. If I am able to, I'd like to also adjust the lighting a little as the overhead lights are very harsh, but this will depend on how much time I have left after installing the speakers...

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[Assorted notes]

Small video-audio experiment examples:

I was initially planning on presenting a projected video with the audio works as I felt they needed something to ground them, but have since decided to only go with the audio for this Seminar's installation. I feel the video component is lagging behind a little, and I don't want to throw it into the mix without good reason... Below are a couple of small trials using video in combination with combined soundtracks assembled from contact mic recordings.

"When I listen, I have to be quiet" - Jackob Kirkegaard

Example of another artist working with the concept of deep listening. Kirkegaard's Opus Mors is a beautiful project...