Stephen Cornford

Stephen Cornford
MIGRATION

Kinetic Sound-Installation

September 5 - October 10, 2015

Opening Reception:
Saturday, September 5, 18-21h
(The artist is present)





A sound installation for numerous factory-second cassette dictaphones. The mechanics and audio electronics of these machines have been subtly transformed - their simple motion, voltage and operative noise are combined into a visual and aural display reminiscent of the massed migrations of birds or insects. Obliquely referencing the appropriation of the term 'Migration' as a data process the work reflects on the global movement of consumer electronics as they pass from production to pollution in the ever accelerating life cycles between generations of technology.

Stephen Cornford (b.1979) is a British sound-artist, sculptor, and performer of experimental electronic music. His work stems from an abiding fascination with consumer audio electronics: how these devices that we are sold to consume music and images increasingly frame our engagement with the audio-visual world at large.




Josh Lepawsky: Map of global e-waste trade iin 2012


The data analysed in Josh Lepawsky's MAP OF GLOBAL E-WASTE TRADE IN 2012 are for import transactions of electronic waste reported by territories. Reported imports are used based on the assumption that a territory is more likely to accurately report imports than exports. Territories are colour coded to reflect their status as Annex VII (blue) or non-Annex VII (yellow) under the Basel Convention. Annex VII defines signatories of either OECD or EC as a single group. 

The thickness of the lines (i.e. trade transactions between territories) is proportional to the weight in kilograms of the transaction. In short, the thicker the line, the greater the weight of the e-waste traded from one territory to another. The direction of the transaction is determined by following the curves in a clockwise direction.

Josh Lepawsky is a geographer working at the Memorial University of Newfoundland whose research focuses on the connections between geography and technology.




Klang-Installation aus zahllosen B-Ware Diktiergeräten, deren mechanische Eigenschaften und Klangprozessor subtil verändert wurden. Die ursprünglichen, simplen Bewegungsabläufe und Abspielgeräusche, sowie die elektrische Spannung, wurden in eine visuelle und akustische Umgebung - ähnlich des Schwarmverhalten und der Wanderbewegungen von Vögeln oder Insekten - transformiert. Indirekt wird somit der Begriff der 'Migration' aufgegriffen und als Daten-Prozess dargestellt. Durch die Wahl des Materials reflektiert die Arbeit gleichzeitig die globale Bewegung von 'Consumer Elecronics' auf Ihrem Weg von der Herstellung zum Abfall im immer schneller werdenden Kreislauf der technologischen Generationen.

Der britische Klang- und installationskünstler Stephen Cornford (*1979) ist fasziniert von diesen Ge- und Verbrauchsgeräten. Diese Waren, die uns zum Zweck des Musik- und Bildkonsums verkauft werden und die dann schlussendlich selbst unser Engagement und unsere Wahrnehmung in der audio-visuellen Welt bestimmend sind.














On the occasion of the exhbition the LP record multiple 'MIGRATION' will be published in an edition 15 numbered & signed copies plus 5 artist-proofs.





Photos: Daniel Löwenbrück