John Grzinich | USA

Media artist (mostly electronic, sometimes not) and MoKS Media Lab coordinator, working with sound for over 10 years and with video for 5. He has constructed various permutations of sound and video individually and together in compositions, installations and performances. He has released CDs on a host of independent labels internationally such as SIRR (PT), CMR (NZ), Elevator Bath (US), Staalplaat (NL), Intransitive (US), Erewhon (BE) and others.

http://maaheli.ee/

Project: Location Sound Project
Category: Sound Art, Video
Period: September 2006
Event: "Nodar Pushing the Medium #2" Symposium

I've been thinking about ways to visually represent sound compositions for some years now.

One idea I've had for a long time is to make a composition "score" out of photos, drawings and notes connected to the sounds in a particular piece and how they were used. The idea is to show just how complex sound compositions can be.

One problem is that to document every step of the process can be more work than the composing itself.

So a second idea is to document a composition using video. This can be easier, especially if you keep the composition more "simple" and try not to have too many layers, effects etc...

Each recording session in a location is also "photographed" as video. Afterwards the video is montaged along with the sound in a way that it becomes a visual composition.

John's comments on the symposium:

The whole visit to Nodar was really great. I have to say I really prefer that kind of solitude for working and getting to know people (…).

I have a lot to say about small events after helping organize many events at MoKS. We are now in the process of compiling a book about the last 6 years of our summer symposium. In the beginning it seems so simple but as time goes by, the place changes, people change, some return some send friends and before you know it, things develop into a complex web of relations. If you manage to stay alive through all the heavy times then there are definitely rewards.

As you (Luis Costa and Rui Costa) are from Nodar I think you will have a special view on the projects you carry out there. Residents will not be just guests but people entering your territory, your perspective and your home.

In my view these kind of "real" conditions are missing from much of the art world (and are even rejected in favor of abstract concepts). Artists who visit can really benefit from these kind of experiences (however simple they may seem). That is a major strength of a place like Nodar.

Project's video (in collaboration with Antonio Della Marina and Maksis Shentelev):

Click To Play