Exhibited as part of Syzygy by Harry Nankin

Dianne Tanzer Gallery, Melbourne 2010; Horsham Regional Art Gallery 2010; Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, 2012; The Stills Gallery, Sydney 2012.

I worked with Harry Nankin between 2006 and 2010 on several field trips to Lake Tyrell, and to Harry’s dark room.  The Four Works for Headphones are intended to bring the gallery visitor closer to the experiences that went into the making of Syzygy: cold nights spent under the stars on the salt lake bed making exposures;  the gathering and photographing of local insect life; long hours spent in the photographic dark room; and the interaction with the Lake Tyrell environment – represented here by two dancers on the salt surface.

1. Exposure 15:31

In the pitch of night,
we lie on our backs
gazing at pin-pricks.
Exposed to salt-flat winds,
we wait for starlight
to expose an array of plates.
Here, from our mouths
an exposure
of another kind . . .

Fostex FR2 , Sony omni microphoness, Jeklin Disc array, Moog MinimoogVoyager.

2. After-Image 13:24

Night conceals,
light blinds,
people
scurry faster
than insects.

Fostex FR2LE Field Recorder, Rode NT4 X/Y Stereo Microphone & Blimp, Clavia Nord Modular Synthesizer, Roland S760 Samplers, Eventide Harmonizer H3500.

3. Every Photon Is Unique 10:33
(Featuring the voice of Maurizio Toscano)

Dark Room:
inner sanctum
where time stands still
and images are birthed
in deep black water
by alchemy.

Fostex FR2LE Field Recorder, Rode NT4 X/Y Stereo Microphone & Blimp, Clavia Nord Modular Synthesizer, Roland S760 Samplers, Eventide Harmonizer H3500.

4. Salt 4:36
(Featuring dancers Michaela Pegum and Siobhan Murphy)

Press
sweep
scrape
puncture
scratch
slide
thump.

Fostex FR2 Field Recorder, Sony omni microphones, Jeklin Disc array. Moog Minimoog Voyager, Clavia Nord Modular Synthesizer.