Sound Walk

     Walking around the streets of the Upper East Side of Manhattan I heard very common keynotes, not unique to that particular area of the city but of cities during that time. It was lunch time, around 12:30.  The sounds that stuck out were of traffic. I could hear engines starting up and stopping because of the inconsistent traffic flow. They were loud robust and unpleasant when I was listening out for them but on an average day they are still happening, my mind is just elsewhere. Horns were honking almost constantly in sparatic patterns. Some long some short and in pairs or trios. This was probably indicative of the time period as the sound of loud truck engines and speeding cars dominated because it was delivery hour. Also indicative of that time "Lunch Time begins". When I listened closer I could here bicycle wheels spinning and lots of paper and plastic bags rubbing against each other in the wind. That time was also "Dog Walking time". The dogs were all peaceful as I heard no barking what-so-ever but i heard lots of leashes clacking together as the dogs were being walked in groups (probably due to the fact that neighborhood is one where residents would not be home and hire dog walkers).  In this particular area there were no Sound Signals nor Sound Marks that I was aware of , just a lot of familiar keynotes during this sound-walk.

LINK TO MY DEFINE A SPACE PROJECT FOR MEDIA 160

https://vimeo.com/141566683

Artist Statement

    



   My art poses questions about expected individual and social responsibilities. I use different mediums including film to shed light on the common struggles that we deal with as humans, sometimes just trying to be a functional member of society.

     I use art to explore the existential questions that keep me up at night. The questions that have no answers are what drive me to create. My brain would once run all night long wondering why and even wallowing over situations that just are. It bothered me that these were unfortunate facts of life but more so, that the people in my life did not want to talk about them, and rather pretend that they didn't exist. Showcasing the facade that the average person is happy and healthy is why I want to be an artist.

     I am intrigued by medium that expose the sensitivity and rawness of the human condition. Novels were my first experience with this. Memoirs, first person novels and journals about mood and personality disorders such as "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia ‘Plath and, "Girl Interrupted", by Susana Kaysen inspired me to ask questions about hegemony and culturally accepted stigmas and the effect it has on us as citizens. Both of those books explore the inner most thoughts of these confused women. Reading the books were like watching movies in my head. Once I saw the film based on that novel I realized how many different things a piece of media can say, and I always have a lot to stay.

     Everything in that movie provoked me; from the scene transitions to the acting. While I was watching it all I could do was feel.  I've always wanted to create something that I would find as intriguing as that movie;something that is artistic and poses questions to the audience about the human condition, and the effects our culture has on us,  they did not know they were asking.