no.233 | Apparition in Formation by Adam Henry
Image and Music for PSO by New York-Based Painter and Musician Adam Henry
With painting, I believe it is possible to illuminate realities that logic cannot reach
With sound, I believe it is possible to tune oneself to the frequencies of different realities- Adam Henry
This week comes to you entirely from the mind of New York-based artist Adam Henry!
Adam holds a BFA in Art and Art History from the University of New Mexico and an MFA from the Yale School of Art. His recent exhibitions include solo shows at River Valley Arts Collective, Hudson, NY; The Ice House, Garrison, NY; Meessen De Clercq, Brussels, Belgium; 247365, New York; and the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie; and group shows at SALTS, Birsfelden, Switzerland; Josée Bienvenu Gallery, New York; Rita Urso, Milan, Italy; Dia Horia, Mykonos, Greece; and Bill Brady, Miami, FL. Meessen De Clercq published a monograph on his work from 2011–16.
In writing about his selection for PSO, Adam said, “I ended up going with a recent painting from a series that explores a small spectrum experiencing various phenomena in painting space.” The track Adam chose to share with PSO is a drone made on a busted-up analog Yamaha synth from 1981. Adam was thinking about how the sounds seem to illustrate the phenomena depicted in the painting.
Adam’s work has been closely engaged with visual and musical language and notation. Perhaps this is most directly seen in his exhibit Overtones at Candace Madey Gallery. In the show, Adam's paintings and collages engage the perception of sound and draw on influences from Pauline Oliveros, John Coltrane, La Monte Young, and ideas of the graphic score by composers Cornelius Cardew, György Ligeti, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and John Cage.
It also reminds me of the visual scores of composer and avant-garde jazz trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith’s pieces.
Anthony Braxton’s scores for his “Ghost Trance” music he began in the 1990s, which create an open and endless system connecting many of his compositions, also comes to mind.
And, finally, the cover of Records Ruin the Landscape by David Grubbs that features a drawing by Marco Fusinato, an Australian visual and noise artist. Fusinato created an amazing durational noise guitar performance at the Venice Biennale along with projected black and white images. (See below)
Although it is kinda tough to beat Iannis Xenakis’ original scores and studies. The Drawing Center put on a great show of this material, Iannis Xenakis: Composer, Architect, Visionary in 2010. They published a great catalog of the show you can view online.
and one more from Pauline Oliveros…
RECOMMENDED LISTENING AND SUPPORT: Sarah Louise
12-string guitar magician, singer, and good spirit Sarah Louise, who is based in Ashville, North Carolina was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. She has put a series of live improvised recordings called Alice Tape Club on her Bandcamp page. She just released #2. I purchased Alive Tape Club and it’s like sharing a house with Sarah Louise as she improvises, sings, and, at times, plays her guitar like a sitar, channeling all manner of voices from Derek Bailey and beyond.
Please consider helping her out!
PSO LIVE EVENT, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH AT THE FRENCH LEGATION IN AUSTIN
The event is free and will be a unique one-time experience not to be missed!
PSO RADIO
You can hear a simulation of tunes from PSO on our handbuilt HTML radio page!
PSO PODCAST
The newest Episode features local legend, musician, composer, and teacher, JOE WILLIAMS!
loved this one: so full of inspiration and ideas.