Janek Schaefer: Sound Art (at the Bluecoat)

Janek Schaefer's exhibition: Sound Art was very interesting and inspirational works. In this exhibition Schaefer had 6 different works on show from his past 20 year career as well as his newly commissioned pieces.


Two of my absolute favorites are:




"Recorded Delivery" 1995 where Schaefer posted a self editing recorded (it only turns on when there is noise) in a parcel from Exhibition Road post office and recorded all of the sound till it reached its destination at Acorn Self Storage Centre, Wembly, London. I think this piece of work can be used to show how clever Schaefer is. The noises that were captured were singing, radios, doors shutting and captured workers in the post office having a rude discussion. I think this piece worked out better than Schaefer may have expected with the added humour at the end. The simple presentation is all that it needs to set the scene!






"Pickup Putdown" is a single helium balloon attached to the needle on a turn table. The turn table is on and is spinning a record around. You cant hear the record because the balloon has control of the needle. This is a kind of situation when the temptation is too great. To find out what is playing on the record you have to pull the helium down. It has a sense of surprise to listen what song you have landed on. This is a cheeky piece tempting in the viewer to touch which is different to normally being restricted in galleries to touch the work. The whole look of "Pickup Putdown" puts an instant smile on my face and makes me think about my childhood and the excitement of helium balloons!

(That's not actually a picture from the exhibition, just an example for you all!)