remains

Through recent experiences in life and art I continually find myself revisiting the idea of removal: removal of the unnecessary, the unwanted, the old, and the used.

I first started exploring this idea by removing the image element from my video work.  In the past, I worked with displaying video through projection and multi-channel installation.  The audio component in these installations became more intriguing to me than the visuals it supported.  From that point I began thinking about audio as the primary art medium.

Continuing to explore the idea of removal, I am experimenting with using removal as my only means of audio manipulation.  I record audio in my living space, whether it is with other people present or more of a performance-based recording. I then manipulate these audio files, lasting anywhere from one minute to one hour, by removing that which I deem unnecessary.  For example with laughter, I recorded a conversation at a large family gathering.  I then removed the dialogue and other specifics from the social function, leaving only the laughter behind.  In, exercise, I recorded myself doing vocal warm ups then removed most of the warm up itself leaving the end of each repetition.

In doing this, I create a different type of audio movement.  The raw, unedited sounds taken from their original form are then reduced to a concentrated sound piece.  The sound piece produced takes shape.

Each sound piece is contained and displayed in white, small 5"x7.5"x3.5" boxes.  The boxes are hung at gallery viewing height.  I generate different amounts of silence between the looping sound pieces; as a result, different pieces play simultaneously at different times.  The sound installation is in continual flux.  The viewers can then experience the installation at their own level of participation by moving from box to box.