blake carrington art

-2011-

Relational Wavespace: Mineral Crystals
[single-channel video and stereo sound, 16m]

"Relational Wavespace: Mineral Crystals" sonifies the molecular architecture of mineral crystals, creating suites of pure sonic tones that correspond to the resonant frequencies of specific atom groups. Pulling from a database of over 3500 mineral crystals, this video features rotating 3D visualizations of ajoite, almarudite, amicite, cobaltite, kasolite, pyroxene, quartz and turquoise, selected on the basis of their striking architecture and sonic potential. Each tone is derived from a function of the distance in nanometers between each highlighted atom, listed along the left of the frame. Part of solo exhibition "Dis/continuum" at Central Utah Art Center, May 2011.

-2010-

High and Low (Relational Wavespace)
[single-channel video and stereo sound, 14m]

Scenes from Kurosawa's "High and Low" are appropriated and slowed down drastically, emphasizing the dramatic spatial tension between the characters, their focused audition and lost gazes. In each shot the characters are listening intently to some entity that is not present, their heads craned to hear better, their eyes either staring off into the middle distance or locked with each other as if to confirm the perception coming from their ears. The audience is put in the position of watching them listen. Pure sine tones of various harmonic and dissonant frequencies are applied and spatialized binaurally, one tone to each figure. The result is a sonic field of phasing and interfering patterns. Does this sound correspond to what the characters are listening to, or is it emanating somehow from themselves? The modernist domestic space, insulated acoustically and socially, is finally invaded by the outside environment.

-2009-

Cathedral Scan v.6
[real-time video and audio generated from architectural plan, 16m]

In Cathedral Scan, the architectural plans of Gothic cathedrals are scanned with custom software made in Max/MSP/Jitter, revealing unique rhythms and organ-like timbres for each structure. In perfect synch with the sound, the scans visually reveal the plan, then fade away like smoke. This version, v.6, was prepared for live performance at Rustines Lab in Montreal. Prior versions of the Cathedral Scan project have included live performance, immersive installation and book publication. See the Archive for more info and clips.

-2008-

ATS02: Solve
[real-time video generated from stereo sound, 10m]

The second in the series of synthetic topologies created from sound. Like in ATS01, a recorded sound composition is used as raw material to synthesize visual sequences in real-time. The audio waveform is manipulated via laptop into abstract imagery, yet suggests representations of constantly shifting architecture and topology. Sound by Cory Allen. Created while in residency at Atlantic Center for the Arts in August 2008.

ATS01: Wisp
[real-time video generated from stereo sound, 6m]

ATS01: Wisp is the first in a series of experimental works exploring methods of directly transcoding audio signals into video signals. A taped sound piece provides source data for a video synthesizer created in Max/MSP/Jitter. By increasing and decreasing the amount of light received by a single photocell sensor, which inputs data into the software via an Arduino microcontroller, a number of variables are manipulated. The resulting real-time video signal invokes geographic and architectural imagery, moulded by scanning movements of the sound waveform. The synthesized topography becomes a residue of the waveform, decaying into wisps.

-2007-

Sky and Wires: At Home and Homeless
[single-channel video and stereo audio, 9m30s]

Sky and Wires: At Home and Homeless is a response to a contemporary life of engaging with places not as a space to be, but as a space to chart a trajectory through. In two movements, still imagery from locations in New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Arizona, Indiana, Louisville, Austin, and Las Vegas is introduced and then destroyed in a hyper-rhythm of image and always-progressing sound. The aggressive pattern and flow of image and sound become predominant, as the importance of individual scenes and notes is blurred. One of the work's central questions is in thinking about how we construct identity through the places we inhabit. Do we lose a bit of this core identity as we move from place to place, or are we at home wherever we are?

-2006-

Organic System 02
[2-channel video, 4m36s]

Objects reminiscent of biological cells are connected by structures resembling dendrites. The placement of objects implies an organic, non-conscious formation of connections and pathways. The first incarnation of the theme "bacterial mating pen".

Nocturne Crush
[4-channel audio, 4m18s]

Grains from Chopin's 'Nocturne in F Major' are sampled, looped, mashed up and cut up into a new composition that invokes both the stillness of sleep and the tension of nighttime drama.

The Power Chord
[single-channel video and stereo sound, 1m05s]

3 chords of Baba O'Riley, thank you Pete Townsend.

Viewing Fuji
[single-channel video and stereo sound, 16m24s]

Viewing Fuji was shot at the peak of Mt. Takao, a popular destination in western Tokyo known for its view of Japan’s highest mountain, Mt. Fuji. In various shots of the Takao summit, hikers and daytrippers are seen looking at Mt. Fuji in the distance, sometimes taking a photograph. The slow-motion footage and the meditative audio emphasize the contrast between the eternal spirit attributed to Mt. Fuji and the relative eyeblink of time taken in viewing it.

-2005-

Motion Blurs Me
[single-channel video and stereo sound + butoh dance performance, 25m00s]

A live performance in Tokyo with dancer Rita Turner. Created with the theme "Sometimes I feel so fast I become still. Or maybe my stillness contains motion."

A Living City
[single-channel video and stereo sound, 10m00s]

Pockets of the city interact via audiovisual rhythm. The spaces in between are silent. Riding the train in Tokyo I feel like all that exists are the bubbles of city built around each train station. If I tried to walk from one bubble to another would I fall off?

Motion Window
[single-channel video and stereo sound, 5m50s]

A tornado inside a tornado. A warm-colored video image travels between 4 virtual screens in an empty environment. The video window reveals the artist spiraling along with the movement inside, while the viewer spirals around the screens in the dark.