FEATURES

DESCRIPTION

In collaboration with Eric Slyfield, Talking Drums is a pair of kinetic sound sculptures that communicate with each other through rhythms of their own making.

The work epitomizes the interconnectedness of cultures and the symbiotic relationship between technology and tradition.
These kinetic sound sculptures serve as modern interpretations of ancestral drums from the Philippines and West Africa, melding ancient aesthetics with contemporary technology to forge new dialogues and connections.
Drawing inspiration from the historical use of percussion instruments as means of communication, Talking Drums transcends borders and temporalities, celebrating the universal language of rhythm.

Through intricate programming and electronic components, the sculptures communicate sequentially, listening to each other's responses, which are generated by exchanging their interpretations of Louise Bennett's poem 'Back to Africa' -- and by infusing a translation of Jamaican Patois / Patwa and Tagalog into their rhythmic conversations, the drums become agents of cultural exchange.
As embodiments of intercultural communication, Talking Drums invite viewers to contemplate the complexities of home, identity, and colonial legacies.
They serve as tangible reminders of the profound connections that exist between seemingly disparate cultures and technologies, urging us to envision a world where mutualism flourishes and simultaneity resounds.