Author: Dylan Roys

A complex work which is highly formalist this piece grates on the ear in a non conventional interpretation of Lincoln. Perhaps this demonstrates to confusment that the artists feel when presented with a new place and all the different influence they have needed to come to terms with in the past week.

There is a disturbing psychological element to this with hints of hidden voices and sound which is on the verge of descending in the chaos.

A voyeuristic work with snatched conversations and some unlikely iconic sounds such as the big issue seller who is a familiar sound source for students in the city. This walk and eavesdrop holds potential for the artist with is openness.

Listen for the way in which the music of the street singer blends with the background. This can be achieved in 2 ways its can be something which is natural and a result of the recorder placing the microphone is a certain position or it can be mixed as a post production. Which of these has the artist used?

 

 

A journey through Lincoln by the recorder linked by the beat of the city construction and gravel footsteps its was recorded, edited and mixed by Christopher Shaw,Libby Winfield, George Morris, Toria Maxwell,David G, Martin S.  The meaning of the musician with  his rendition of Dolly Parton’s Jolene in an latin language may give a cosmopolitan impression although the folk nature of the guitar also hints at the traditional. Is the artist hinting at a dichotomy within the city more commonly found by juxtaposing the cathedral with the railway.

 

With a futuristic sound this piece  shows a high levels or stereo in the mix and offers a formalist feel while maintaining iconic sounds from the Lincoln environment. The sounds have been cut and positioned seemingly to give a new edge to the familiar the train barriers for example fire the adrenaline in a way which only a lincoln resident will understand.   That initial sonic burst is repeated as if goading the listener.

 

There is a gonzo like honesty about this piece which seems to represent a simple recorders impression with the artist at times appearing in the soundscape. Don’t be fooled by this style into thinking the artist has not used this as a deliberay strategy to create meaning. Editorial choices have been made which convince you that this is actually “as it happened”. It didn’t; this is as much Yohan and Ellie’s creation as any other work. Reality does not exist it is a creative construct.

There is a sub heading to the original audio which the artist added “corkscrew dick envy”. I add this as a point of principle. I refuse to censor art and that is another intellectual debate you should have with yourself.