Words to be Seen & The Sound of Speech 9/14–10/7

A group show of visual work, installation and sound performance focused on text and speech as distinct from their everyday communicative functions. Featuring the work of FAMED, Nathan Gwynne, Bonnie Jones, nicoykatiushka (NyK), David Schoerner, Andrea Wolf, and Audra Wolowiec.

Words to be Seen & The Sound of Speech seeks to flesh out the contradictions that exist between words and images, and thus between description and representation. By emphasizing new and experimental approaches of expression within a curated setting, Words to be Seen & The Sound of Speech promotes the gallery’s mission of providing an alternative space that fosters innovation and exploration. The artworks included represent a contemporary take on the use of text in multiple mediums, exhibiting the aesthetic properties within them. Some works portray the rhythmic translation of speech as visual or sound installations. Others use words themselves as visual cues thereby expanding and confounding the boundaries that lie between art, speech and text.

Accompanying these visual works and installations will be a series of sound performances, scheduled throughout the exhibition, entitled The Sound of Speech. This performance series will focus on highlighting the sonant qualities of speaking. A group of sound artists and musicians will interpret the works exhibited in the gallery as well as perform some of their own contemporary sound pieces. They will also enact an interpretation of past speech scores selected by sound artist, Maria Chavez.

These works remind us that language is a fragile and illogical construct, loosely bound to reality by cultural convention. By exploring the latent potential of language and the systems we use to communicate, Words to be Seen & The Sound of Speech aims to separate the message of text and speech and highlight the fascinating nuances that are hidden by their everyday uses.

Artists Websites:

FAMED

Nathan Gwynne

Bonnie Jones

nicoykatiushka (NyK)

David Schoerner

Andrea Wolf

Audra Wolowiec

 

The Sound of Speech
Performance Schedule
9/22, Noon – Midnight
A New Collaboration in Translation and Aliveness
9/29, 8–10PM
The Sound of Speech: Interpretation Session #1
10/6, 8–10PM
The Sound of Speech: Interpretation Session #2
Download Press Release