4’33’’ x 10

Gallery exhibition showing nine monitor screen plays simultaneous videos of pianist performing at the composition 4'33'' by John Cage. A wooden stage holds nine audio speakers each channeling the sound of silence from one of the performances.

4’33’’ x 10 Installation view, single channel video, nine channel audio, Viva Exhibition, University of East London, 2022

 

In this work nine recordings featuring performances of John Cage's composition 4’33’’ are played simultaneously, merging with the ambient sonic environment of the installation site.  Composed in 1952 Cage’s score instructs performers not to play throughout three movements that together last 4 minutes and 33 seconds. However, each musician performs and interprets Cage's piece differently some dictated by a stopwatch, others through improvisation and therefore the duration varies according to the individual.

The installation features multiple performances mediated through technology with split screen video and nine speakers delivering separate audio channels for each rendition. Visual counters draw our attention to the time disparity of each performance. The work frames ‘silence’ or Cage’s "absence of intended sounds” within performance environments experienced by audiences over decades shared with that of the contemporary viewers to the installation.

Single channel video, nine channel audio, 7.00 mins, 2022

Nine screens showing different performances of John Cage's work 4'33''. The pianists seat a pianos not playing. A timer on each screen shows a difference in duration of each performance.
Gallery exhibition, angle view of nine monitor screen plays simultaneous videos of pianist performing at the composition 4'33'' by John Cage. A wooden stage holds nine audio speakers each channeling the sound of silence from one of the performances.
Detail showing wooden stage holds nine audio speakers each channeling the sound of silence from one of the performances. In the background a large nine monitor screen plays simultaneous videos of pianists performing.
An audience watches nine performances by pianists, they play the composition 4'33'' by John Cage. A wooden stage holds nine audio speakers each channeling the sound of silence.