LONDON SOUND SURVEY BLOG | COMMENTS
Occasional posts on subjects like field recording, London sounds past and present, other websites worth looking at, articles in the press, and news of audio-related events.
Finch sound art at the Barbican
Posted by IMR on 22 March 2010
IF YOU HAVEN’T yet been, it’s worth checking out Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s sound art installation at the Barbican. It’s the one with the finches ‘playing’ amplified guitars and cymbals.
The finches go about their affairs in fast-forward. They pluck grass stems to make half-hearted nests on the guitars’ fretboards, or huddle together briefly before going their separate ways. They seem self-absorbed, like Londoners.
They’re semi-tame and don’t mind the presence of people, although I never saw a bird land on anyone. The finches are as mindful of us as we are of the passing of clouds.
Here’s a recording made this afternoon:
At every step there are creaks from the wooden decking that’s been laid down. Perhaps it’s to get visitors to wander around slowly and carefully. The event is on until late May, and it’s free to get in – more details here.
Categories: Arts projects
Ian,
what a great idea for an exhibition. The ambient sound is soothing, relaxing - you could make one of those relaxation loops out of it. I can almost see the finches flitting in and out of the strings . . .
‘self-absorbed, like Londoners’. I can just see a whole crowd of people in London, cell phones clenched to their ears, not paying any attention to anyone else at all . . . what a vivid memory.
T.
Posted by Tim on 23 March 2010
Ian,
Good clear recording, must try to make it to the exhibition.
Did the birds seem aware of the sounds they were creating? How were the speakers positioned?
Christine
Posted by Christine Adams on 25 March 2010
There are several speakers positioned in different places. Most are on the floor and tend to be near the instruments whose amplified sounds they play.
The finches show no obvious reactions to the sounds made, even the loudest clangs and twangs; still less the inkling that they have anything to do with them.
Posted by IMR on 25 March 2010