Nicola Rae and coLaborators : Sonic Frequency Objects

My experimentation with sonic frequency visualisations began in 2005, through documenting the transitory, site-specific events of particular sound recordings, as sonic frequencies. The field recordings were played through the sound emission analyser, SeaWave and still-frame images of the frequencies were placed in Perspex jars: which were then exhibited in rows on Perspex shelves. Each sound was described alongside the recording date printed in 'courier' text, referencing 1960s-70s conceptual-textual-event documentations. Made two days before the opening of one of our APT Studios Gallery shows, my first shelf piece included sonic frequency visualisations of the sounds of voices curating the show, an electric chopsaw, the slamming of metal gates and the van driving off.

The sonic frequency objects also developed in response to being asked to take part in various exhibitions abroad, which meant that my contributions had to fit easily into suitcases, or be mailed. This process of working within parameters for democratic international group exhibitions occurred with projects curated by Doron Polak. My contributions were mailed to two MARKERS projects during Venice Biennales 2009 and 2011, initiated by Doron with the International Artists Museum: as well as contributing to Doron's archive of copybooks exhibited at TransMission during dOCUMENTA(13). Further easily transportable projects were organised by A2Arts as exchange exhibitions with other artist groups in Europe, e.g. with Atelier WG in Amsterdam.

 

Delineation, London 2012	TransMission, Kassel, Germany 2012	Art Plates, London 2012
MAPPING, Venice 2011	Undercurrents, Hastings 2009	Culture Kiosk, Venice 2009
SALE, London 2009	Punt WG, Amsterdam 2008