Over the last year, Lee Patterson has investigated the sonic world of Tower Works in Holbeck. One-time hub of industrial activity, the currently disused site is now awaiting full-scale refurbishment by Yorkshire Forward. Patterson’s brief: to collect sound recordings that represent the site and present them as a live performance at the Sonic Arts Expo, an upcoming festival of sound art that this year finds its home in Leeds. An Arts & Business ‘Artists for Places’ award funds the project.
Although humble about his work, Patterson has a great sensitivity for sound, which is reflected in his recordings. Seven Vignettes, the latest collection of Patterson’s pieces, is testament. The recordings are of unusual things: hazelnuts burning, springs and butane canisters, and have only undergone slight tweaks yet they sound tuneful and composed, with rhythms, texture and harmonics. Patterson’s work captures such unnoticed exhibitions of beauty.
So what sounds of interest did we find on a derelict building site? Patterson’s use of contact microphones meant he could get under the surface of the space. For those not familiar, these are small metal microphones that pick up tiny vibrations mostly inaudible to the ear. We heard the patter of ants on a birch sapling, the fibrous crackle of valerian stems, underwater munching of fish in the nearby canal, and simply the resonance of the space itself.
Returning to Tower Works several times and searching the space for sonic content left us both with a sense of attachment. As we left it was a final fairwell to one stage of an historic building’s life, documented in sound. Other Leeds artists have latched onto this moment too; Black Dogs collective are taking one last guided walk around the site on Saturday 5th September – see www.black-dogs.org for more details.
Patterson is still hard at work preparing for the performance, and the structure of his piece is yet to be revealed. Expect an immersive sonic landscape that combines the recorded elements alongside various found instruments from the site itself.
Whatever he creates it is sure to be special, and a performance not to miss.
Lee Patterson will perform alongside Yannick Dauby and work by Chris Watson at Opera North’s Howard Assembly Room on Friday 25th September, 19:30. Tickets are free but booking is required. Call the Opera North box office on 0844 848 2727 or visit www.howardassemblyroom.co.uk
Sonic Arts Expo runs from 25-28 September 2009. More details can be found at http://leeds.expofestival.org
article produced by Chris Martin of Outpost North