Water, Waves, Dreams

Exhibitions

framework:afield #542
Juried broadcast, international
Framework Radio
Põlgaste, Estonia
31 January-6 February 2016
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

The included works are broad ranging. Bryan Ruhe, Kathryn Christopher, Jacob Hansen, and Travis Petersen explore sonic manifestations of water in various states in their work "Ice, Waves, Steam, Streams."

"Experience the Alley" by Shane Sullivan and Glenda Rothfus portrays sounds at a local bowling alley as a narrative. "The Accident in the Alley" by Glenda Rothfus follows this theme.

Speaking of narrative, "Dreamscapes" by Dustin King, Ross Dixon, Andrew Dizinno, Nicholas Rudy, Randall Theil, and Josh Thomas imagines a series of (disturbing) dreams while sleeping in front of a television set.

"Sometimes" by Adam Denny might also be heard as a sonic interpretation of dreams, especially about travel.

"Something in the Water" by Kathryn Christopher may be imagined, or it may be real. Either way the effect is unsettling.

Away from water, away from Earth, "Spacescape3" by Aaron Phillips imagines the sonic ambience of space travel.

"Empty" by Dan Ashbridge may speak to feelings about space travel, or isolated life here on Earth.

"Zen" by Jenel Cohen brings our listening back with some calming, centering sounds.

In between and all around samples from these student works are field recordings by John Barber like air rushing through an automatic door on the campus of University of Victoria, water flowing down a rain chain in Vancouver, sounds of the clock atop the Arco da Rua Augusta in Lisbon.

These sounds represent not only recordings of specific sound environments, but interpretations as well. Listening here is a specific, personal event. We hope you enjoy this offering of radio art.