Stringing the Matrix is a sound-based performance and sculpture commissioned by Tate St Ives. The sculpture was in a solo exhibition with film Coil of Days, 3rd February – May 2nd 2022 at Tate St Ives. Performers and the audience wear wireless headphones to hear the 30-40 minute detailed sound textile piece being constructed.
The sounds of the space, audience and other visitors are channelled through the object along with the intimate sounds of handling the materials and the subtle gestures produced in the collective task. The sculpture contains many different potential outcomes, and is amplified in a way that creates a live, complex, layered soundscape. Some of the sounds are metallic needles threading through the wavering musical-saw-like architectural structure, and other sounds are mellow fibres passing through, the knots causing ringing that we identified as a cue to change in section of the performance. These wide ranging subtle sounds are blended to create a soundscape that brings together the whole space and the touch of the materials with the ebb and flow of the audience.
Stringing the Matrix was performed next to Sol LeWitt’s Wall Drawing #1136: Curved and Straight Color Bands (2004). LeWitt provided instructions for the wall drawing’s installation. Similarly, Stringing the Matrix followed its own set of open choreographic and compositional instructions specific to the group.
Materials: Metal, textiles, microphones, headphones, wood, seeds and various percussion instruments. Dimensions: H217cm x W106cm x W106cm
Curated by Imogen Frost and Melanie Stidolph, Tate St Ives. Performed with musicians Stuart Blackmore, Liam Jolly and Alice Mahoney (Disco Rococo). This was followed by a talk with Dr Marianne Mulvey, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader Curating MA/MFA UWE Bristol.
Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Audience member listening to Stringing the Matrix live in wireless headphones at Untitled (1977) by Geco. Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Performance of Stringing the Matrix, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Stringing the Matrix, threaded after the performance of its construction. 30th April 2022, Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.Stringing the Matrix, talk with Dr Marianne Mulvey, 30th April 2022. Tate St Ives. Photo by Steve Tanner.
