5 October
Museum Tape Loop #1
Three pieces were created and exhibited whilst in the makers space on the first day as artist-in-residence (click on the thumbnails to enlarge):
A two and half minute tape loop was assembled using the rhythmic sound of the Jacquard loom at The Museum of Norwich with an amplified pair of forged steel tweezers sourced from the Costume & Textiles collection.
Due to the length and fragility of the tape it was quite challenging to get the loop working correctly but after lengthy experimentation it played with few problems. To add a further site specific element five silk thread bobbins were again sourced from the Costume & Textiles collection and utilised as guide rollers for the tape; the size and shape of these objects were perfect for the loop!
The bobbins were positioned in such a way to cause minimal straining on the cassette player itself but also provide a simple but pleasing shape whilst the tape moves its way round. The small internal speaker was extended with microphone cable and inserted into a paper mache cone (this was constructed prior to the residency) providing a very low-tech but effective means of amplification.
As magnetic tape is so fragile it got progressively damaged and stretched whilst playing, consequently the sound quality degraded as the the day progressed. This ephemeral aspect to the work is one I wasn’t expecting but actually rather liked. Both forged steel tweezers were included with the loop again to enhance the site specific nature of the piece.
Museum Tape Loop #2
The same tape loop was simply stretched out to its full length, the largest silk bobbin was utilised as a single guide roller. This gave visitors a better feel for the length and duration of the loop itself.
Electromagnetic Field Box
A basic telephone pick up coil was constructed and mounted onto the underside of a lid for a wooden box, a target design fixed onto the top. Connected to the coil and hidden in the box was a hacked wireless microphone circuit transmitting to a nearby receiver and mini Marshall Amplifier. This simple interactive work proved particularly popular with staff and visitors!
The following instructions were provided:
- Activate and place any electronic device you have (phone, iPod etc.) on top of the target.
- Now Listen.
As visitors placed electrical items on top of the target/box they began hearing the electromagnetic fields being emitted. Mobiles phones were particularly popular to experiment with but a camera was tested which created the most interesting sound especially when the zoom function was used!
Michael Ridge 