Taste of a Stone: performances

Improvised and devised public improvisations and interventions. 

I was one of a group of artists invited to respond to Otobong Nkanga's Taste of a Stone installation, during her exhibition at Nottingham Contemporary. Taste of a Stone brings the natural world into the gallery to create a landscape of boulders, pebbles, trees and other plants. This environment for contemplation is inhabited by local storytellers, musicians and dancers, as well as visitors. All are invited to share memories and moods. 

I spent my time exploring the sound and function of handmade clay xun and ocarinas, brought in texts talked with gallery visitors about the properties of stone and clay. Taking diverse inspiration from magical spells cast by the Ocarina of Time (The Legend of Zelda) and minimalist long form pieces and experimental techniques by composers like Pauline Oliveros I attempted what might be called new-new age compositions. People handled the clay instruments and played them. Intimate performances between friends would merge in the space. 

I also performed with writer Wayne Burrows reading from his work, The Kumulipo Variations (from 'Exotica Suite’).