Listen to our final performance of the installation here,
or browse the archive of daily performances throughout the residency here
New Youtube channel of video archives now here
Salt Soundings is a performative installation created for Cellar 4, Porthmeor Studios, St Ives. Accumulating as a process-based, durational work over a 2-week residency in Summer 2017 (10th - 20th July), Salt Soundings evolved from a 'making' process in the first week into a performative process in the second.
The installation explores our understanding of our status and role as artists within the history- and industry- rich spaces of St Ives. Born out of an awareness of the various overlapping and intertwining histories of the Porthmeor cellars and studios, and that we share Cellar 4 with another artist's response to these elements (Mark Dion's The Maritime Artist), Salt Soundings examines our relationship to this space as outsiders, visitors and, to an extent, tourists. As creative practitioners and 'artistic tourists', the process-orientated nature of the installation forms our approach to participating in and engaging with the various histories and industries of St Ives. Absorbing and responding to our surroundings holistically, the work invites public observation of our own creative interaction with the place and its bridging to our established artistic practices - a public demonstration of engagement and creation. |
The work evolved over the fortnight through a cumulative collecting of sound, materials & objects from around St Ives, interwoven with an exploration of the history of the cellars. These materials were incorporated into the installation through a performative making process involving materials, sound & text, with further, more concentrated scheduled performances through the fortnight.
Public Engagement:
The entire process was kept open to the public through both weeks, allowing access to the space at various stages during the making week (with awareness of health & safety assessments) as well as the performative week. We were privileged to engage with visitors through conversation as well as viewing.
In addition, scheduled public Q&A discussion sessions were held in each week, as were scheduled performances where the performative element was more focused & highlighted. We were also pleased to offer an event for Tate members, in association with Tate St Ives.
Cellar 4 is a space with a varied history, its current form also including 4 brining tanks for pilchards; most recently used as a fisherman's storage & workspace, one half of it currently houses another installation, The Maritime Artist, by Mark Dion - our installation will take up the other half of the cellar opposite, so as well as our own exploration of space, sound & material, there is also the intriguing prospect of the two installations conversing with each other across the space.
with many thanks to Chris Hibbert & the BSJW Trust for their interest & engagement during the project's process.
Public Engagement:
The entire process was kept open to the public through both weeks, allowing access to the space at various stages during the making week (with awareness of health & safety assessments) as well as the performative week. We were privileged to engage with visitors through conversation as well as viewing.
In addition, scheduled public Q&A discussion sessions were held in each week, as were scheduled performances where the performative element was more focused & highlighted. We were also pleased to offer an event for Tate members, in association with Tate St Ives.
Cellar 4 is a space with a varied history, its current form also including 4 brining tanks for pilchards; most recently used as a fisherman's storage & workspace, one half of it currently houses another installation, The Maritime Artist, by Mark Dion - our installation will take up the other half of the cellar opposite, so as well as our own exploration of space, sound & material, there is also the intriguing prospect of the two installations conversing with each other across the space.
with many thanks to Chris Hibbert & the BSJW Trust for their interest & engagement during the project's process.