I'm strongly interested in the current British festival scene. I think its one of the few things the British really know how to do really well. (Other than the silly prices!) I think people will look back at this period of British history and remember the festivals. It is a very current forum for all sorts of artists to express them selves in. I want to explore different areas which bring people together. I don't want to create items which are static to be viewed in an art gallery or a museum. I want to make items which bring people together and make them smile. This is very strong in this current project. What could be more perfect for this aim than a street organ? Historically they are designed to be placed at fairs, public places, dances, and festivals of days gone past. I love the fact that I'm trying to recreate a musical instrument which in the past would have been completely wondrous; and today although obsolete holds the same wonder. People already flock to my instrument although it is currently just a set of whistles! It was new technology, were previously people would have to get a whole orchestra now they could allow the street organ to make the music. The wealthy could have versions of them in there home, the first time that they didn't need to have silence all the time (bar playing instruments themselves). I can't even imagine the magic of this step, I'm so surrounded my music and noise all the time at home. The difference of it not being electrical also makes a big difference. Speakers omit a noise from one direction in a very specific way. Organs play as if someone is there playing an instrument. Old organs play the very same music as played all that time ago. This fact gives my goose bumps; it’s almost a form of time travel. More so than a painting or an old worn chair, an Organ gives you the very atmosphere that was felt all that time ago. Pure magic.
All this considered my organ or any future musical, mechanical piece would be a perfect platform for re-kinderling this magic to the community. The Secret Garden Festival offers many opportunities for this sort of interaction.
http://www.secretgardenparty.com/2009/participation.php
Using these forms I plan to take my finished street organ to the secret garden party. I have a couple of options of how to present myself.
1) Using the magnificent fancy dress form.
The theme is Garden of Eden and Babylon. As the front of the organ is covered in peacocks this fits very well. I would then make myself a peacock costume. As they say they will give up to £400 I'm thinking of something very elaborate. This will need to be professionally costed and planed. I call it the music of Eden and walk around entertaining people. The form also states that I could do it in a group. This opens up possibilities of making several matching costumes and making a story to go with it. The eccentric peacock keeper and his swam of peacocks? The ancient peacock treasure of Babylon? Traditionally organ grinders would try to strike up more business by making a story to go with there organ.
2) Use the performing art form.
For this I would do a similar show but put more empathy on the story being told. For this I would get a free ticket, then £75 for all actors who want to come with me. I'm not really an actor and nor are the people I plan to take with me. But it’s more about in crowd story telling with props and I think every one has that in them somewhere. I also have a large steam punk kaleidoscope which I have already performed at festivals, it’s a great prop. You'll be surprised how many people haven’t seen a Kaleidoscope for over 10 years. Also it is useful in teaching children about how mirrors work.
3) Join the Kazoo Crew.
I know the leader of the Kazoo crew. This is an area of the festival where you can go to and play a whole number of simple instruments. You can even make your own instruments. This would be a good atmosphere to interact with other people playing instruments. Half the magic of musical instruments is the ability to play with other people. This is an area which I haven’t even considered yet; could the organ join a band?
4) Join the science area.
The science area of secret garden aims to teach people science at a festival. Crazy you say? No. People do indeed turn up in the middle of the festival to listen to lectures. I could explain to people how whistles work and all the principles behind the workings of a street organ. Currently people have no idea how it works, I know it took me a long time to understand it. I could also show people how to make there own whistles. I could talk about bellows, air pressure, and sound vibration. I know the Woman who does lectures about the science of sound so I could work together with her. I also like the idea of using it as a teaching aid as I think that when people learn it really strengthens there experience. This is also why I like sculpture more than paintings. You can't hear, smell, or touch a painting really. With an organ it’s a whole sensory experience, you’re not going to forget it!
So why would I want to do this? Other than complete self indulgence as I will certainly enjoy it, its also great publicity for my work. I will be meeting people, making friends, and showing people what I'm about in a very memorable way. All the while my work will be on display. People will remember it and talk about it. If I'm lucky I might meet someone who likes it so much they might offer me some sort of future creative project. I will make sure that I have business cards on me for this possibility.
I want to promote craft. I want to promote the idea of simply gathering round a musical instrument. I want to tell people about street organs, and how they themselves could make one to. I want to entertain people in a powerful interactive way, far away from stale snooty art exhibitions.
There are also several other festivals that certainly fit the bill. Sunrise celebration festival, Antic Banquet, Shambala to name a few.
I think that’s enough of a passionate rant for now! That’s 1108 words in one entry!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment