About
FERREIRA PROJECTS_01 is proud to announce Deep Relaxation by Tom Milnes, our newest Resident Artist. Over a five-week period Milnes will be creating a sound installation by transforming the Gallery Studio into an ambient wonderland using culturally redundant audio material. After the completion of Milnes' Residency, the site-specific installation will be available for viewing from 14 June when Milnes will be introducing âDeep Relaxation' and offer a free limited edition, hand-recorded cassette tape featuring recordings of the ambient soundtracks.
Milnes is interested in cultures reliant on technology, cultures that only occur because of the invention/popularity of certain technologies. In previous works Milnes has looked at particular audio effects and recording techniques that have shaped popular music, recreating an working Roland Space Echo tape delay machine and using it in a performance to produce Dub, like the Reggae producers of the 70's. His work spans performance, installation and New Media including web-based interactive projects.
âDeep Relaxation' aims to turn the studio into an ambient wonderland. Using culturally redundant materials such as walkmans and New Age relaxation tapes, the space will be draped with loops of audiotape stretching the width of the room. These loops will be installed in situ, organised into patterns, winding their way up walls and over viewers' heads. Audio from the moving tape will be played through speakers, layering the nature sounds together. The actual result is an un-ambient cacophony of various animal noises and New Age music, the work ironically will be uneasy to relax in. On entering the space viewers will walk on unfolded tape sleeves laid down on the floors like an Islamic design. With tape over head and sleeves under foot, the experience is aptly confusing mix of cultural references, being playfully New Age. Far from a spiritual experience, the piece may remind the viewer of technological advancements, cultural wastage and fads.
Milnes will be spending the residency collecting components and installing the loops into the studio. All the parts used in the installation are spares/redundant, this is not to say they don't work anymore, it is that they are not needed. Most of the machines function perfectly and where possible are untouched and as original as when first new. However, many âbroken' machines still have workable components and these are clearly used in the work. Unlike many sonic art projects where machines are stripped bare of their casing for an electronic lab aesthetic, Milnes feels this is all important to the content of the work and that it links the technology to a time, use and memory. Far from a museum display, the walkmans and tapes are actively performing as they were created to.
Milnes studied at Oxford Brookes under the guidance of Artist/Musician Max Eastley. It was at college where Milnes started collecting machines and collaborating with scientists and musicians. Accumulating various detritus from the 20th Century, when consumer technology first appeared, his work soon became an investigation or map of technological advances and the work humans have created with these. Part of his work is purely to research these sub-cultures, with the Internet it is very easy to engage with enthusiasts/artists/collectors through forums and websites.
FERREIRA PROJECTS_01 was developed as part of FERREIRA PROJECTS' ongoing goal to improve accessibility and participation by involving the viewer in the whole artistic process. It will allow the viewer the rare opportunity of seeing an artist conceive, research and develop their work before viewing the final outcomes at exhibition. The viewer will also be encouraged to engage in conversation with the artist about their work, through a number of different channels. The public programme, which may include artists' talks, workshops and gallery visits, are developed in conjunction with each individual artist during the residency period.
*Viewing and Artist Lead Discussion
14 June 15.00 - 18.00
Runs Until 28 June
