vinyl(e), 1997
Popular music, with its lyrics of loss, regret, longing and rejection is often accompanied by a musical rhythm that is pleasurable. Depending on which aspect you choose to focus on, it can be a vehicle for release of sorrow, or an invigorating bodily escape, or both.
The audio component in vinyl(e), of song lyrics sampled from timeworn records, has been digitally edited, only to emphasize its materiality. The scratchy sound of a broken, skipping record echoes the cliches of excessive self-reflection. Yet the lyrics are irreconcilable, revealing a self-doubting version of reality and the fiction of all rationalization. On the 9” monitor, a silent, slow motion downward pan focuses on the details of a hand. Gradually revealing crossed fingers — rendering the repeated apologies and accusations of the skipping song lyrics insincere.
Audio:
- Brenda Lee: skipping song lyric from “I’m sorry” MCA Records Golden Years – Brenda Lee
- Connie Francis: skipping song lyric from “Who’s sorry now?” MGM Records The Very Best of Connie Francis
—
vinyl(e), 1997
3 steel stands (48" × 15" × 16.5") 2 bare speakers, audio equipment, 9" colour monitor , VCR, motion sensor