A collaborative installation by Bob Bielecki and David Behrman created for Harvestworks’ summer venue on Governors Island. A Harvestworks Sponsored Projects funded in part by the New York State Council on the Arts in partnership with the Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
June 30 – Aug 27, 2023
Open to the Public 11 – 5 pm Fri, Sat and Sun
Artist Day: Saturday July 8, 2023
Location: Harvestworks Art and Technology Program Building 10a, Nolan Park, Governors Island
Spindrifter makes use of a high resolution audio recording system invented and constructed by Bob Bielecki. His system, using new technology, consists of a 48-channel microphone paired with a multichannel playback system with special characteristics. The system has an ability to capture the acoustic properties of sounds in natural environments in great detail, and to direct sounds outward to a spherical field in a way that can enliven the audio qualities of an enclosed space. Visitors experience a feeling they’re outdoors, enveloped in natural sound that is all around them. Spindrifter combines recordings of natural sound made by Bob (the open ocean, quiet lapping water, peepers, birdsong, tree frogs) with a number of passages from David’s music pieces, some new and some old, spanning a period from the 1960s to the 2020s. Those passages, chosen because of their symbiotic relationships to Bob’s recordings, are enhanced by phasing adjustments and contribute to the resulting audio environment.
Around the Corner
An interactive sound and motion situation to be explored by visitors.
Artist Bios:
Bob Bielecki is a sound designer, specializing in the creative use of technology in the electronic arts; additional expertise as audio engineer, exhibition designer, electrical engineer, software developer, and artist/collaborator. Collaborated since the mid-1970s with Laurie Anderson and La Monte Young on work including creation of unique instruments and interfaces used in performance installations. Current work in sound localization and imaging. Grants from Andy Warhol Foundation and New York State Council on the Arts. At Bard since 1997.
David Behrman has been active as a composer and artist since the 1960s. Over the years he has made sound and multimedia installations for gallery spaces as well as compositions for performance in concerts. My Dear Siegfried, Leapday Night, On the Other Ocean, Interspecies Smalltalk and Long Throw are among Behrman’s works for soloists and small ensembles.Behrman’s sound and multimedia installations have been exhibited in various galleries and museums. Among the installations are Cloud Music (1979), a collaboration with Robert Watts and Bob Diamond; Sound Fountain (1982), a collaboration with Paul DeMarinis, Algorithme et Kalimba (1986), a collaboration with George Lewis; Pen Light (2002), and View Finder (2005). In 2013 Cloud Music was acquired into the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington and is currently on display in the Museum’s Lincoln Gallery.Together with Robert Ashley, Alvin Lucier and Gordon Mumma, Behrman founded the Sonic Arts Union in 1966. He had a long association with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company as composer and performer, created music for several of the Company’s repertory pieces, and was a member of the Company’s Music Committee during its last years. Behrman has received grants from the NEA, NYSCA, NYFA, the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, the D.A.A.D., the Foundation for Contemporary Arts and the Henry Cowell Foundation. He has been a member of the faculty at the Avery Graduate Program in the Arts at Bard College since 1998.Audio recordings of his works are on the XI, Lovely Music, Pogus. New World and WERGO labels; videos can be viewed at Roulette.org and ubu.com.