“IN RELATIVE OBSCURITY” is as site specific audio/visual “Happening” by Brian Gibson & John McVay that places emphasis on both Belgian artist Albert Szukalski & his recorded approach to art as a “situation maker” & the importance of documentation of art that takes places in isolated environments for future generations to find themselves in; for better or worse.
We arrived at sunset (7:45pm) Saturday, July 14th.
Excessive Heat Warnings had been in effect for the week and people are reportedly flocking towards Death Valley to experience it’s record setting high temperatures. Kind of bleak when people excitedly check out something so indicative of global warming, also dangerous when you factor that part in. I hope everyone was safe to and from the area, though already reports are emerging that people are dying from participating in this catastrophe tourism.
My intention was to record 3 separate sound artists record a site-specific improvisational ambient work in Goldwell Open Air Museum’s Big Red Barn Arts Center. In the end, an emphasis on the importance of documentation in regards to live music & art performances for future generations to refer to would be made clear to the viewer.
In this case John McVay and I would showcase the importance of improvisational approach to music and art in general, proving them essential to overall communication skills that inevitably affect our ability to problem solve in everyday life.
“”Happenings” in art refer to a form of avant-garde performance art that emerged during the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in Europe and the United States. This art movement was characterized by spontaneous, interactive, and often unpredictable events or performances that blurred the lines between art and life. Happenings were intended to be experiential and immersive, engaging the audience in a direct and participatory manner.”
The temperature was 111 degrees, rendering the esteemed arts center Goldwell Open Air Museum‘s “Big Red Barn” a fiery oven of a venue. The heat certainly affected our overall experience and subtly made itself a prime factor of the ambiance; especially as the space had been been left largely untouched and arid.
Using my iPhone 13 ProMax for capturing video, I used a straight forward stationary shot of the performer/s via a single tripod facing front and center of the performer. This was a sure way to capture the performance in it’s entirety while also making sure the footage I have to edit later is consistent and able to be utilized fully “in post”.
The process for capturing audio included using my Tascam field recorder for an overall capture of the set and it’s environmental ambience, as well as recording the audio that came out of the speakers direct in to my laptop. The tone for my guitar came from my DAW Garageband as I played over slowed down samples of my self playing cello in Calico Basin last year, as part of my artist in residency experience with The Cube LV Gallery.
John’s performance actually incorporated imagery related to Szukalski’s work; wearing a white sheet during his performance and rocking gently while manipulating tapes looping that included audio of our last trip to the location. Overall John nailed it & his performance was exceptional. I’m glad I have the opportunity to continue collaborating with him, this being our 4th performance in tandem with one another.
I will wait to elaborate further until I release more footage.
I look forward to sharing this idea I have been focusing on now for almost a year. It’s empowering to have a platform from which to showcase what a first impression to a physical space might sound like, and I look forward to sharing more of the conceptual side of this project.
The Big Red Barn Arts Facility has served as shelter & art studio for various artists throughout the years as they attended their programming for the organization’s Artist in Residency program. It is also serves as a venue for a variety of UNLV classes that are interested in the area for a variety of reasons, including former Professor Eric Strain considering Architecture students build forward thinking modern structures for Goldwell’s Artist In Residency programming.
This is one of two reasons I chose this location to shoot my first video for the “IN RELATIVE OBSCURITY” site-specific improvisational audio/video live performance series; yes, I am aware that is a lot of words! haha I feel each one is valid in it’s inclusion, though.
The other reason would be;
For years I have been very interested in the subconscious and therefore ran into the writings of Carl Gustav Young and his thoughts on the subject, of which he spent a lifetime researching and documenting his findings for future generations of psychology to eventually hold his thoughts in high regards when speaking on the subject in current day. It is my belief that venturing out towards Death Valley and performing such a niche but intricate art medium in the desert forces one to face something. I hope to properly convey a sense of what we went through to the viewer after all is said and done. I’m certain something is gonna translate!
This initial trip/recording session lacked a film or audio crew, imposing limits on the entire quality potential in regards to video and audio, as I was doing everything myself. Though this is precisely the kind of situation I believe that I thrive in, and I am already very happy with the results I’ve created thus far. Intuitively, I might have a want for “better” equipment. Though to be fair, the gear used for this entire production has been with me for years and I believe that adds to the overall “juju”.
Editing the video I shot that hot night in Rhyolite (hey, there’s a title) has been an absolute blast. To be honest it feels like I am painting for the first time again; able and encouraged to make mistakes and utilizing the footage gathered from that night to spit it out in a freedom based child like approach, while trying to pepper in information like this in the process.
This project is funded in part by Nevada Arts Council’s Project Grant for Individual Artists FY23, allowing me to buy some better camera equipment and lighting, as well.
I appreciate Nevada Arts Council & their opportunities to the residents of Nevada. Upon reflection I truly believe that if it were not for this grant I would likely have never had the resources or structure to finish this idea I’ve had for quite a while. Their application process helped me better present myself and my works. Planning out my project from the budget and scheduling time spent is something I have previously never done. Throughout the duration of the project I was happy to have an excuse to ensure things happen the closest to as they were planned as possible. Often times projects get pushed to the side because of funding or lack of sense of urgency, and it’s my belief that Nevada Arts Council is helping many other projects flourish that may never have happened if not for their funding opportunities.
