05-12-2022 | Left out in the cold
I wanted to make use of the opportunity to exhibit at the School's Winter Show, and experiment with installing a sound work. Knowing I wanted to incorporate an audio element to my final degree show installation, I set out to trial making a sound piece specifically for my selected exhibition space - the link bridge connecting the main building at Calcutta House to the Fine Art Annex. The work formed part of a response to several personal concerns for: a) those facing homelessness during one of the most significant cold snaps the UK has experienced since 2010; b) the cost of living crisis, specifically the issues many of us are facing to heat our homes during the winter; c) the exclusion of students from art commission opportunities set by the university. I composed the title of the work before I began making anything: 'Left out in the cold'. Because of my love of words, there are occasions when I find this a useful practice when making work. It helps set parameters for my ideas so I can focus on the crux of what I am trying to convey with a defined structure.
Once settled on the title, I set about collecting and cutting up relevant audio samples which I looked for on Spotify and Youtube, along with field recordings I've produced over the course of the last couple of years. The scope of this collection can be seen in the samples taken from my sketch book, and include field recordings of a log burner heating up; a steel pan performer busking in London's China Town; 1970s public health warning infomercials from the UK Government; pop music and cinema using the lyric/line 'left out in the cold'. I used Ableton to layer and arrange these, creating a ten minute audio piece which I installed on Minirig speakers on the link bridge. This was accompanied by lettering spelling out 'Left out in the cold' in the windows of the bridge, with the aim that this would be seen from street level, so that the sentiment worked in both a visual and aural capacity, and could be experienced from the ground as a passer by, as well as through actively engaging with the exhibition by visiting the interior of the bridge. It helped that the temperature standing on the bridge walkway was incredible cold, almost matching the conditions outside. I was very pleased with the audio aspect of my intallation, and found the process of setting up in the space, along with the techinical and health and safety preparation, an invaluable experience. The lettering in the window, however, was a disappointment. Having researched the best colour text to use for visibility, I made my wording white, but this did not have the impact I was aiming for, and the text was barely legible from street level. Though unsuccessful in this respect, I learnt a vaulable lesson regarding using text, as well as allowing plenty of time to trial this aspect of the work, where I had prioritised the audio element. Overall, I feel much better prepared to install sound work, and the experience of making work for a specific space opened up many new thoughts on this becoming an integral and potentially powerful part of my practice.
1. Left out in the cold, installation view, Amanni Hassan Hollands, 2022
2. Left out in the cold, mp3, Amanni Hassan Hollands, 2022
