In Progress

In Progress

In Progress is a radio art narrative with a rhythm, even melody, composed mostly of field recorded mechanical sounds. The narrative intent is to portray life and projects in the process of always becoming, in progress.

Metadata

Object: audio file
Format: MPEG audio
Bit Rate: 320 kbs
Sample Rate: 44,100 kHz
Duration: 57:00
Created: 2017
Creator: John F. Barber
Original/Edited Files Available: Yes
Rights and Status: All rights reserved. Available for broadcast, installation, exhibition, and/or publication with permission.
Image: ***

Exhibitions

Framework Framework:afield #623
Juried broadcast, international
Framework Radio
Põlgaste, Estonia
17 December 2017-13 January 2018
Curated by international sound, performance, and radio artist Patrick McGinley (aka murmer).

Framework Radio focuses on field recording of sonic sources and their use in compositions. Featuring juried work by international sound artists, Framework Radio's goal is to present not only the extremely diverse sound environments of our world, but also the extremely diverse work that is being produced by the artists who choose to use these environments as their sonic sources. The research and creative question behind Framework Radio programming asks, "Is field recording a style or genre, or rather an uncontrollable and undefinable tool as any, that may be interpreted, manipulated, and appropriated by anyone with a microphone and idea?" Works produced in response to this question are the answer, the definition, not vice versa. Based in Põlgaste, Põlva County, in southeast Estonia, Framework Radio began broadcasting in June 2002 on Resonance 104.4 FM in London. Episodes are now broadcast on radio stations around the world.

Background

I have created several episodes for Framework Radio, an international showcase of field recording, phonography, and sound hunting, curated by international sound, performance, and radio artist Patrick McGinley (aka murmer).
#829 Southside Soundwalk, 22-29 January 2023
#808 Dawn Birds, Light Traffic, Melodic Machines, 3-9 July 2022
#738 COVID Dreamscapes, 13-19 December 2020
#711 Coho Crossing, 26 April - 2 May 2020
#658 Rainstorm Reveries, 21-27 October 2018
#623 In Progress, 17 December 2017 - 13 January 2018
#583 Transect: London, 29 January 2016 - 4 February 2017
#542 Water, Waves, Dreams, 31 January - 6 February 2016
#433 Between Sleep and Dreams, 9-15 September 2013
#405 Ambient Pulsations, 6 February - 6 March 2013
#389 Tell Me A Story about Meditation, 23-30 September 2012
#386 Meditation, 2-8 September 2012
#381 Contact, 12-14 July 2012

Artist Statement

In Progress is inspired by John Cage, who told us that everywhere we listen, there is always something to be heard, sound(s) around us, always, speaking to events in progress.

In Progress features many sounds. A hotel trash compactor in Bergen, Norway, dealing with the remains of a previous night's party. Pile driving equipment in Victoria, Canada, shutting down after a day of building the new ferry boat landing pier. Wind chimes dancing in a strong east wind. Rain on a metal roof. A collage of sounds from a Maker Faire in Portland, Oregon. Electromagnetic radiation recorded by spacecraft exploring our solar system, and beyond. Air rushing through hotel front doors, and around the edges of an airplane window. A sound installation inside a traditional thatch cottage in Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland. An FM carrier signal after the failure of the audio transmission. A squeaking trash bin lid in Porto, Portugal. A thumping refrigerator compressor in Paris. Construction of new houses. Underneath London's Millennium Bridge. A wall of corrugated paper in Copenhagen. Passengers boarding a ferry. Samples from sound installations. A large scale printer printing a poster. In progress.