This evening, I had the pleasure of working with Peter Nagle, his cello and live electronics in my studio for an improvised multimodal jam. Our performance and discussions had moments with profound insights about art, technique, and our interconnectedness with the creative process.
We delved into the notion that awareness often emerges when something breaks or fails. It is in the moments of imperfection that we truly grasp the presence of things.
Like a broken hammer, its failure brings forth our attention to its existence.
We explored the idea of undermining our own techniques, which leads us to a different relationship with our craft. The cello, for instance, is not merely a tool to produce sound, but a symbiotic entity that operates on us as much as we operate on it. Through improvisation, we transcend the limitations of being defined solely as cellists or painters, circumventing the ordinary and venturing into uncharted territories.
The discussion took a turn towards dance and the Graham Harman’s Quadruple Object (based on Heidegger’s fourfold), unveiling a captivating concept of hyperobjects and entangled symbiotic entities. As musicians, dancers, and painters, we bring our individual techniques into the room. However, we strive to move beyond them, recognising that sounding and moving are not separate entities but intertwined expressions of our artistic essence. There is a material fact embedded in these creative endeavours, flowing seamlessly between what we do.
We delved into the realm of non-cochlear sound, drawing inspiration from the works of Kim-Cohen and Duchamp, and exploring sound art as an equivalent to conceptually sonically entangled experiences. Yet, our exploration went deeper, reflecting on how our physical forms are shaped by our artistic mediums. The cello, in Peter’s case, has not only influenced the way he produces music but has also had an impact on the development of his body and the way he moves. It is not a passive object; it possesses agency and engages in a symbiotic interaction with him. Similar sentiments resonate when it comes to my own painting practice, as being blindfolded brings forth the canvas and paint’s inherent expressions. We find ourselves in this strange situation, navigating it to the best of our abilities.
The interaction and interflow of material being became a focal point of our conversation. The cello, paint, me, and Peter intertwined in an intricate creative dance.
Earlier today I had a health scare with my father. Honouring this context and our feelings of the day, we recognised the influence of our ancestry, contemplating our paternal lineage, symbolized by the Kings of Cups and Pentacles. There was a sense of connecting with our roots, channeling the energy of those who came before us.
A recording of Peter’s Dad talking about his early life (taken just before his dementia took hold) was included in the sonic material. It added a layer of reflection and appreciation for the stories that shape our identities.
Before parting ways, we shared reading recommendations. “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism’ was suggested, as was Beau Lotto’s work on the mind-body connection and Cartesian dualism. Carlo Rovelli’s writings on our relation to objects, Stephen Wolfram’s writings on programming in relation to consciousness itself, Timothy Morton’s exploration of hyperobjects, and the insights of Mark Johnson, George Lakoff, and Antonio Damasio were also noted as valuable sources of inspiration.
This evening’s jam left me with a renewed appreciation for the interconnectedness of art, technique, theory and our being. Towards the end of our session we found ourselves contemplating the essence of agency and the nature of being human in an era heavily influenced by Artificial Intelligence. This collaborative experience has sparked a fresh wave of inspiration, prompting me to delve into further research on the concepts of free will, randomness and predetermination.
Claire Zakiewicz is an artist based in London and New York
www.clairezakiewicz.com/
Insta: @clairezakiewicz
Peter Nagle is a composer, sound artist, musician, PhD candidate at Trinity Laban, London
https://linktr.ee/PeterNagle
Insta: @petemaskreplica
Mastadon petemaskreplica@zirk.us
