Among Remote Lost Objects 2015 - Project exploring sculpture, resonance and the senses. Blind opera singer Victoria Oruwari performs in the vast, resonance space of Karst to composer John Matthias' 3 minute score. Funded by ACE. All images: Dom Moore
Oruwari sings to visitors in the cube, a non-resonant, highly tactile environment in which a light oscillates from total light to complete darkness every 3 minutes. Image: Dom Moore
Among Remote Lost Objects 2015 - Tabatha Andrews with score by John Matthias sung by Victoria Oruwari (8 x 8 x 8' sound-deadening chamber, 3 minutes of music, 3 minutes of song, 3 minute cycle of light and darkness).
The convoluted, labyrinthine inner surface of this work creates a semi-anechoic effect, a ‘sound vacuum’ and a strong tactile and visual presence. The material used is felt shoddy, a low-grade, absorbent material made of recycled textiles that usually remains hidden but is resonant with memory. A blind singer, Victoria Oruwari, sings with the work at various times during the exhibition to a score by composer John Matthias, made in response to the installation and exploring resonance and its opposite.
A public discussion also took place involving Professor Andrew Pickering, Andrews and Oruwari, chaired by Oona Wagstaff.
Review
in Plymouth Culture by Ellie Richardson
Visitors' comments:
'An amazing sensory experience!'
'Soundwaves all around you, passing through you freely..'
'Beautifully 'acogedora'-Spanish for gathering the person into arms - or catching them. I felt as though in arms.'
'Amazing experience - I came out feeling in a meditative state..'
'So stunning, discombobulating, brought a beautiful awareness of body - heat, hearing, fingers - glad I made it through!'
'Sublime.'
Chamber door open to reveal felt lining. Image: Dom Moore
Opening night. Image: Dom Moore
Oruwari. Image: Dom Moore
Image: Dom Moore
Inside the chamber. Image: Dom Moore
Public discussion between Tabatha Andrews, Professor Andrew Pickering and Victoria Oruwari chaired by Oona Wagstaff, 6th July 2015. Pickering talked about time, memory and physical response to the work while Oruwari shared her experiences of the project, of her experience as a blind opera singer and what resonance means to her.
Image: Dom Moore