February 20 – April 15, 2012
Within the current mood of worshipping the latest technology in media art, Staalplaat Soundsystem provides a breath of fresh air, reminding us of the 100-year tradition of noise-making machines, in which “mad” inventors and various kinds of artists operating in the margins of the art world meet. During their 10 day residency at LACE, Staalplaat members Geert-Jan Hobijn and Carlo Crovato constructed a site specific, interactive sound installation that served as the focal point for a participatory sound performance and youth workshop in February.??Using “everyday electronic junk” scavenged from thrift stores and donations, Hobijn and Crovato fashioned new “sound machines” that are controllable by the audience via smartphones. LACE visitors and the general public can conduct the “orchestra” via their mobile phone both inside and outside from the Walk of Fame. The installation will be on view through 15 April 2012
ABOUT STAALPLAAT SOUNDSYSTEM
Since its inception in 2000, Staalplaat Soundsystem has started creating a multitude of “machine installations” using all manner of consumer electronics, such as a dozen floor polishers (Sweet Sissy and the Ballroom Hiss), and Avantilator, a composition for one hundred electric office fans. At the heart of this work is a low-tech philosophy: to make installations appear simple, revealing rather than concealing how they are made.
Artists participating in the LACE residency include Staalplaat Soundsystem founder Geert-Jan Hobijn and Carlo Crovato. Staalplaat Soundsystem has been showing works at several international festivals, museums, galleries and events like Avanto (Helsinki), Sonar (Barcelona), 798 South Gate space (Beijing), DEAF (Rotterdam), Transmediale (Berlin), DOM (Moscow), Ars Electronica (Linz), Todaysart (Den Haag), MOCA Taipei, Museeum Weserburg (Bremen), Townhouse Gallery (Cairo), Steirischer Herbst ( Graz), ZKM (Karlsruhe), Palais de Tokyo (Paris), Khoj International Artists (New Dehli), and Auditorium (Rome).
For more information on Staalplaat Soundsystem, visit staalplaat.org.
SUPPORT
This project is supported, in part, by public funds from the Netherlands Cultural Services (New York), in partnership with the Dutch Centre for International Cultural Activities (SICA); Music Center, the Netherlands; Netherlands Theatre Institute; and the Dutch Fund for the Performing Arts. Additional funds have been provided by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Mondriaan Fund.
All photos by Joshua White.
