Soundscape 2020 (2020-1)

sound systems with soundscapes on loop, motion activated handwashing soundtrack, multi-channel MIDI controller, crotales, solenoids, wood (later updated to steel) enclosures, original music.

Commissioned for ‘Colorado in the Present Tense’ at MCA Denver, Feb 26, 2021-Aug 22, 2021.

A scrapbook or diary of sorts, of sounds collected through 2020. Visitors enter the museum in ‘January’ and progress through the building semi-chronologically; they hear contrasts of sounds from daily life, news clips, music rehearsals, Zoom calls, protests, bird calls, et cetera. Themes in the work traverse joy, grief, laughter, melancholy, solitude and solidarity. Visitors end on the rooftop with December or 'Listening Back, Listening Forward’ which offers a periodic chorus of bells chiming and hopeful sounds for the future. This work merges with the ambient sounds of the building and the city, and acts as “glue” that ties the rest of the works and spaces in the museum together.

A video collaboration with Deaf actress Nicki Runge is the online portion of the work, for those who can’t access the museum physically or would like other ways of engaging with the soundscape..

Colorado Public Radio interview and article here.

  1. The Before Times (Jan, Feb- entrance ramp inside to front desk)

  2. The New Normal (Mar, Apr- landing of ground floor main stair)

  3. Lockdown and Upheaval (May - upper landing of main stair)

  4. De Profundis (Jun, Jul- elevator)

  5. Cameron Peak and RBG (Aug, Sept- upper landing of secret stair)

  6. The Election and the Toy Piano (Oct, Nov- landing nook of secret stair)

  7. Listening Back, Listening Forward (Dec/Rooftop)

Prelude/Postlude: Handwashing Song (Bathrooms)

soundscape 2020 tote all black text.jpg

Thank you to all the participants and sources from clips used in Soundscape 2020 (pictured left), with additional thanks to Andy Lynes, Nora Abrams, Miranda Lash, Ben Coleman, Playground Ensemble, Laura Baxter, MCA staff, and Cassandra and Warren Cox.