Bravely, he is now unleashing his work on the world under his real name and taking forward his early blend of sonic research into a new realm with video and audio installations. He hopes these will demonstrate to others what intrigues him about noise and what he loves about sound.
Explaining his methods and mediums, Gladwin said: “I use the term ‘para-musical’ to describe these experiments as it seems that the sounds can no longer exist as just ‘noise’ once re-contextualised by art. They have become something else; a kind of music or something outside of it.”
To make these sounds that hang in a limbo world between noise and music, he has been experimenting by using crude materials and simple actions, deliberately ‘reverse engineering’ the language of music. Who needs a cello when you can squash a balloon or squeeze a sausage and record the outcome?
By all reports, the results of this methodology and the pallet of sounds he generates are varied, even hideous, then strangely subtle, and occasionally, just plain absurd.
To add to the gallery programme, Gladwin and a group of other artists will be giving a special ‘para-musical’ performance at Islington Mill in Salford from 8.00 pm on September 20. Prior to this, the Chapman Gallery will be open for early evening viewing and listening to the gallery pieces.
When he is not devising sound and audio experiments and installations, Christopher enjoys recording the screams of frogs and participating in endurance gig playing – he once performed 340 songs in one set.
The gallery is open between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm each day except Monday September 22 when it will close at 1.00 pm. Admission is free. Ear plugs not supplied!
The evening viewing/listening event at the Chapman Gallery on September 20 is between 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
Visit www.arts.salford.ac.uk for more details.
For information about the performance at Islington Mill, visit www.islingtonmill.com.
