mp3 (abode) home contact

Below is a keyboard with five edited samples taken from mp3 (abode).


Arthouse Dublin Nov - Dec 2000 / Rachael Haferkamp Gallery, Cologne, Germany June - July 2003.

This is the first in the 'cardiograph' series, it is a sound-based project involving a range of artists / individuals from around the world. The first call for participants was across the Internet in 1999, it invited people to send an MP3 file of their favorite (or most hated) bite of sound, one that would evoke a personal, strong memory or emotion. At the time the MP3 was a relatively new phenomenon and promised a speed and interaction previously unknown. When there had been sufficient response, Murnaghan disguised a modern keyboard in a 120-year-old upright piano, the piano's aesthetic was worn and distressed, a physical patina empathic with it's contents. One sound piece was attached to each note and information as to the time, place and memory associated with each sample was left on view in a form similar to sheet music.

Click icon for video footage

Visitors to the building were invited to play this collection of diverse sounds, mixing this global flux of personal reflection, studied compositions and seemingly disposable noise into unique moments of sound and interaction. These 'recitals' were broadcast within the gallery and the Internet. The piano interface was deliberately used to lend tactile familiarity to the piece as without interactivity the work would not function. No electronic components were visible within the darkened space. Several recitals and performances were based around this installation during its period of exhibition in Dublin and Cologne.

Contributing artists include: Marjetica Portc, Daniel Figgis, Karl Burke, Aisling O'Beirn and Slavek Kwi.
The invitation for the first exhibition took the form of a CD with a mix of samples taken from the piano. click to hear.

 

The second exhibition of mp3 (abode) took place in The Rachael Haferkamp Gallery, Cologne, Germany June/July 2003. Every weekend for the period of the exhibition different artists/musicians interpreted the work in their own way.

Artists: Thomas Witzmann + Rochus Aust, Axel Hoptner, Rick Walker, Dusica Cajlan-Wissel.