The Sculptor Speaks [Hepworth Resounds] 1961 to 2020

After having been poorly (I’m often ill in November), I am now back working on resounding the tape, running behind the train! The Sculptor Speaks is a resounding of a 1961 recording of Barbara Hepworth’s voice, shining a singular light on her creative process. I am enjoying every moment of it. Yesterday I extended a section, giving space to the words, which can appear at times too omnipresent.

“I am the figure in the landscape….a new sculpture… “ silence and repeat…

The question is how far do I abstract the words? The message conveyed needs to be clear and transmitted but then I want the voice to become abstract at times. I need to feel free. This is a constant negotiation.

The Sculptor Speaks will be broadcast in its version 1.0 on Resonance FM 10th of January 2020 (This first transmission celebrates her date of birth). Version 1.0 because it will be a stereo mix for the radio format; version 2.0 will be experienced physically in a space. I am currently studying for a Master’s degree at the DMSA, University of Brighton. The work on the tape forms the basis for my research, investigating the voice from preservation to resounding whilst taking further the voice of Hepworth into the physical space as a multi-speaker diffusion.

Recorded by Hepworth herself in her studio in St Ives, the tape’s initial purpose was for a recorded talk with slides for the British Council (original duration 32 mins). Recently I contacted the British Library to obtain further details on the original tape, I will share these findings with you soon… O

Commission for avant-garde ensemble Juice Vocal at Kings Place

I have been commissioned to write for Juice Vocal. It is the first time I am writing for voices other than mine, this is a fascinating experience. So far I have sung the three voices as an aide memoir, but I can’t wait to hear the piece alive on the 19th of October at Kings Place, I hope you can make it. You can book your tickets here https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/contemporary/juice-vocal-ensemble-voices-of-venus/. Also commissioned are electronic music composer Gazelle Twin and multidisciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie.

In the steps of Data Regina, this continues my research into 16th century poetry with iconic figure Louise Labé, probably the most famous female poet of the French Renaissance. The composition will consist of a triptych of impressionistic touches from Louise Labé’s love sonnets, contrasting with an abrasive landscape as well as biographical elements, which will be incorporated in the form of spoken words. 

I am currently preparing a ‘score’, not a classical score. I’m not trained enough to do so, after all classical score was not always in use: it was Guido of Arezzo who laid the foundation for notation as we know it in Western musical notation, besides I write with signals not symbols. So to help the three vocalists navigate my piece, I have combined a guide with text, key musical points and integrating at times screenshots of my Pro Tools session.

Last night I had tea, in London, with Juice vocalist Sarah Dacey as they are about to start rehearsing and we discussed the fact that researcher Mireille Huchon published a thesis (2006) arguing that Louise Labé was in fact an invention by a group of male writers conspiring to create the idea of a lovelorn female poet. This has been questioned since and personally I simply wonder why a group of male writers would spend time, energy devising such a plot, inventing a female character over an extensive period. Why such a pleasantry? For sure they must have had other tasks to accomplish pursuing their careers. No no no, Louise must have existed, she was not a “creature of paper” but of flesh, of words. 

The three vocalists will embody Louise, “in male dress we ride”, real or enigma. Male, female, a creature of paper? Certainly, a feminist icon, Louise Labé with the self as a double, of multiple identities, is claiming “I am not a creature of paper”.

As you are here, we have launched a Kickstarter, raising funds to complete the project, following a few glitches. Please support us or/and share if you can, there are lots of exciting goodies for backers. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/juicevocalensemble/voices-of-venus-new-music-for-voices-and-electronics?ref=project_link 

Thank you for your help and hope to see some of you at the London show for the premiere at Kings Place!

O

Louise Labé

anew

I have migrated digitally to the U.K. http://www.dataregina.com and http://www.catwerkimprint.com remained, http://www.olivialouvel.com was lost at sea.