YYAA008: Simon James, Sounding the Shadows
Structural resonances and architectural fantasies performed at the RIBA Gallery in Portland Place, London. Using Buchla Electric Music Box, Wingie resonator, contact mics and a transducer to interact with airborne and structural borne sound from the gallery itself.
Created as a live performance at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) gallery in London, and in dialogue with Jim Stephenson, Sofia Smith and James’ 2023 film and exhibition, The Architect Has Left the Building, which examines the active life of buildings, YYAA presents Simon James, Sounding the Shadows. Combining field recordings from buildings that feature in the film and a deep library of architecture and landscape recordings, modular synthesiser, and feedback generated by attaching contact mics to the exhibition structure and moving sound round multiple speakers, it explores how architecture is activated by its use, supposed misuse and adaptation by human and non-human life, and how buildings respond in kind, at the level of auditory perception and beyond. Recognising that architecture is a kind of spatial storytelling, Sounding the Shadows is a companion work of audio theatre that draws on James’ abiding interest in deep listening, socially engaged sound and Maryanne Amacher’s prolonged exploration of psychoacoustic phenomena.
Limited edition release on transparent 'prison edition' cassette (edition of 50) in a custom box. The box is assembled with embossed fine paper from Gmund Paper in Germany that mimics the look and feel of asphalt and concrete.
The release contains a poster on semi-translucent paper featuring a drawing by Simon James of his modular synth.