http://www.broken20.com/brokenzerothree/MEntropy/The%20Persistence%20of%20Decay.mp3

DAVID FYANS

MA, BA (hons, First Class)

The Persistence of Decay

(2h20’16”)

There is something about the physical manifestation of information on analogue magnetic tape that continually intrigues me, more so with the continual movement into the digital age. This piece is an audio investigation into this physical format drawing a parallel with the way in which humans store personal memory.

I recorded around 40 minutes of recently built textural soundwork, created using modular synthesis onto a standard C90 cassette, I then dubbed this master recording onto a further two cassettes which were to be treated.

One was immersed in hot soapy water for approximately 45 minutes, the other, I put into cold water and then placed in the freezer for several hours. The tapes were then dismantled, dried in the sun, put back together and then recaptured. Although the treatment had produced a notable effect on the audio, I felt that the source material was still too prominent. In order to magnify the results of process, I slowed the playback of the layered recordings down to around a quarter of the speed allowing every pop and click, each modulating texture, the space and time to unfold under its own weight.

The result is an ultra-reductive durational study in texture lasting 2 hours, 18 minutes and 16 seconds.

This piece has been selected for inclusion on radioCona’s Radio Art Space exhibition in Slovenia which was exhibited in a gallery space, broadcast over FM radio and streamed online and featured at a listening space at the Pixxelpoint Festival.

 

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