Ben Brown – Sound Sculptures

Locations:
September 12; 3PM – Dragon Skin Pavilion (UBC at the corner of University and Main Mall)
September 26; 3PM – The Swimmer (Vancouver Aquatic Centre/Burrard and Pacific)
RESCHEDULED! October 3; 3PM – Gate to the Northwest Passage (Vanier Park/Kitsilano)
October 3; 6PM – Solo (Devonian Harbour Park/Coal Harbour)

This project takes place in so-called Vancouver on unceded Indigenous land belonging to the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. 

With his new project, Sound Sculptures, drummer and composer Ben Brown has set out to actively explore Vancouver’s “playability” as a city.

Brown’s interest in embodying sound vibration and found percussion led him to a practice of playing public structures like pitched percussion instruments. For this project, Brown has identified four sculptures that are distinctly musical when activated by soft felt mallets and hands: Dragon Skin Pavilion (UBC), Gate to the Northwest Passage (Kitsilano), Solo (Coal Harbour), and The Swimmer (Vancouver Aquatic Centre). 

From April – September he will meet weekly with these four public art pieces in Vancouver to learn how to play them like musical instruments. With the support of the Vancouver Parks Board and Neighbourhood Matching Fund these explorations will culminate in public, outdoor performances to take place over four Sundays on September 12 + 26 and October 3. Joining him for the explorations and public performances are collaborators from All Bodies Dance and Dancing the Parenting.

With Sound Sculptures, Brown aims to encourage us to reimagine Vancouver as a more interactive and sound rich city.

To find out more about the project visit http://benbrownsounds.com/soundsculptures/ and follow Ben on Instagram @benbrownsounds 

#vansoundsculptures

* These outdoor events will take place according to Public Health guidelines and restrictions and may be subject to change.

Sound Sculptures is grateful for support from:

Photos by Andi McLeish.