Kidnapping Water Installation
Computer-Controlled Light and Sound Installation
Created with artist Randy Moss
Description
Kidnapping Water: Bottled Operas Media Installation is a study on the movement of water using four-channel acoustic recordings and 104 LED lights. Miniature spotlights produce animated light patterns, illuminating a circular reef of salt that appears to float in the darkened gallery.
Video Excerpt
Details
Dimensions: 18″h x 72″w x 72″d
Materials: wood, salt, steel wire, LEDs, four-channel sound system, electronics, computer, custom software
September 12 to November 21, 2008: Jack Straw New Media Gallery
Text Panel
August 2008. Four pairs of singers and percussionists perform 64 Bottled Operas throughout King County. Sometimes a photojournalist, videographer, or sound recordist accompanies them.
The entourage drives through parking lots and hikes through forests searching for water. They sing to befuddled adults and curious children. Ducks gather. Human voices and splashing water cry out harder than the silent wisdom of hair turned white.
There is fear and longing in this scenario. Not a run-away-in-fear or humping-towards desire, more a pause-and-reflect terror and furrowed-brow hope that sends quiet shivers through the stomach. Mouths sense water disappear. Ears caress aural mirages where the abundant rain of the present hides a future of burning salt.
Resources
Installation sketches and construction photographs by Randy Moss
Jack Straw New Media Gallery project page
Created with artist Randy Moss
Description
Kidnapping Water: Bottled Operas Media Installation is a study on the movement of water using four-channel acoustic recordings and 104 LED lights. Miniature spotlights produce animated light patterns, illuminating a circular reef of salt that appears to float in the darkened gallery.
Video Excerpt
Details
Dimensions: 18″h x 72″w x 72″d
Materials: wood, salt, steel wire, LEDs, four-channel sound system, electronics, computer, custom software
September 12 to November 21, 2008: Jack Straw New Media Gallery
Text Panel
August 2008. Four pairs of singers and percussionists perform 64 Bottled Operas throughout King County. Sometimes a photojournalist, videographer, or sound recordist accompanies them.
The entourage drives through parking lots and hikes through forests searching for water. They sing to befuddled adults and curious children. Ducks gather. Human voices and splashing water cry out harder than the silent wisdom of hair turned white.
There is fear and longing in this scenario. Not a run-away-in-fear or humping-towards desire, more a pause-and-reflect terror and furrowed-brow hope that sends quiet shivers through the stomach. Mouths sense water disappear. Ears caress aural mirages where the abundant rain of the present hides a future of burning salt.
Soprano Mezzo Tenor Bass | Rubber Salt Electronics LEDs Computer Custom Software Four Channel Audio | Bones Bamboo Gourd Hands Gongs Sticks Rocks Shells | Rope Rags Wood Water Birch Poplar Steel Wire |
Installation sketches and construction photographs by Randy Moss
Jack Straw New Media Gallery project page