soundoutin

"If Those Wall(papers) Could Talk"

Sound Installation Fota House, Co Cork

9th -21st June

This work was developed from research into the “Wallpaper Archives” housed in Fota House, Cobh, Co Cork Ireland.

A site visit was arranged to the house which enabled me to view the extensive collection of wallpapers in the archives some dating back to the 18^th century. I was allowed view and touch several of these very rare specimens some extremely fragile. I recorded the sound of several of them. Many were textured whilst other were flat, smooth etc.. Each contained its own unique history whilst some were on the walls already and had been for some time thus creating a different surface and texture. Whilst there I also managed also to record the sound of a very old upright piano which was housed in the kitchen area. This also contained its own multi layered sonic history having served generations of owners and staff down through the ages. I also recorded the natural sounds of the arboretum and gardens attached the house.Using these sounds as my sound palette I created the works you are now hearing or holding in your hands. These sounds also formed part of my sound installation “If Those Wall(papers) Could Talk” which was presented as part of the Mor Artists Collective exhibition in the house.

As a small aside my grand-aunt was a lady’s maid in Fota House It was interesting to think that she had walked under some of these wallpapers and maybe even played the piano. A whole history of colonialism and the Big House is waiting to be explored