Sound Collaboratory

Artists: John Celona, Darrell DeVore, Networks Orchestra and Sergrio Cervetti

Date: April 24 to June 4, 1978

Open Space explored a new program direction for 1978-79. Collaboratory was an interdisciplinary collaboration of artist and community. 

Sound was the first of the new Open Space Gallery Collaboratory series of six week installation projects. Coordinated by musician/ composer John Celona, Sound was a series of participatory events related to "sonic exploration" and involved the collaboration between audience, artist, and musician.  Many aspects of the installation included performances of contemporary music and the work of local composers. It was open to participation to anyone interested in the exploration of sound as art, form, movement, sound-visual translations, instruments, electronic/ computer music and interaction with others in artistic collaboration.

Sound Collaboratory, 1978 (Photo: Jeanne Shoemaker) 

Sound featured the construction of a massive sound-sculpture. The public was invited to assist in the construction, to take place during the month of May. Artist/ musician/ composer Darrell DeVore coordinated this project. There was an exhibition of the completed sculpture and open participation in the "sounding" of the work during the first week of June.

There was a special presentation of the Canadian Shadow Theatre, with two successive evening performances on April 28 and 29. Shadow theatre was a collaboration of several disciplines: music, sculpture, literature, radio, film and video. Shadows of live actors and cutout figures were projected onto translucent screens and used a variety of light sources. Ingenious optical effects gave the production a surreal and ambiguous character that was reminiscent not only of the ancient classical shadow plays of Southeast Asia, but also of the early films of Meliés and the theatre of the Bauhaus. Members of the Canadian Shadow Theatre included: Hank Bull, Patrick Ready, Kate Craig, Martin Bartlett and Glenn Lewis.

List of Events:

May 12: John Celona presented an evening of electronic/ computer music tapes of original compositions. 

May 16: Networks Orchestra performed improvisational works.

May 17: Darrell DeVore and The Networks Orchestra conducted a workshop in instrument building and sound sculpture.

May 19: Uruguay-born composer Sergio Cervetti and The Networks Orchestra performed Cervetti's "...de la tiierra...".

May 20: A music improvisation workshop was held.

May 24: Darrell DeVore and The Networks Orchestra conducted a second instrument building and sound sculpture workshop.

May 27: A music improvisation workshop was held.