When I was in college, I was paid by an installation artist to read mathematical proofs in a husky voice, the recording of which was then piped into a sculptural space of soldered steel and animal skins. I didn’t get it, but I made 70 bucks. What I did take away from the project was the idea of sound as texture and color, working in similar ways to visual techniques. In that vein, The Very Rich Hours , created by Steve Peters , is an audio portrait of New Mexico. Designed especially to be heard at the Old San Ysidro Church in Corrales (966 Old Church Road) and presented as part of LAND/ART, the piece incorporates field recordings, readings and song. You can hear the landscape of our home Friday, Sept. 4, through Monday, Sept. 7, from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, go to 516arts.org.Though scientists say smell is the sense most connected to memory, for me, it’s sound. Specifically, the sound of songs from the ’80s. Play " Pour Some Sugar on Me," and I’m 12-years-old, wearing a panda shirt and two-tone socks (peach and green on one foot, green and peach on the other), wondering why someone would want sugar poured on them when that just seems unsanitary. If this sounds like your idea of fun, head over to the Adobe Theater (9813 Fourth Street NW) for Back to the 80’s , directed by Laura Nuzum . Revel in the sounds of a decade that, for some reason, everyone age 45 and under is obsessed with, mostly so they can point out how stupid everything was. Take banana clips. The musical runs through Sept. 6, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m. and Sunday performances at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16 ($14 students and seniors) and can be wrangled at 898-9222. Go to adobetheater.org for more.Our annual Haiku Contest issue hits the stands next week, and to give you a little taste of the genius of some of the entries, I’ll be joining Carol Boss on her freeform show on KUNM 89.9 on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (09/09/09), from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Tune in to listen to me read haiku (in a normal, non-husky voice) from our winners and other favorites. I’m still sorting through the thousands of haiku. Really, thousands. I’m exhausted, but mostly inspired. Thanks for the tremendous response.
Culture Shock: Listen And Learn
2 min read
