Working Rhythms

REVERSE is pleased to present WORKING RHYTHMS, an interactive music installation by artist Devin Curry in which visitors play and mix rhythm bases and sound loops by manipulating different sonic sculptural objects.

The eight sculptures and their loop-based musical accompaniments reference eight New York City public locations frequented by the artist during his regular routine. Each object’s unique geometric design represents an abstract sketch of a specific location. An audio and visual abstract portrait of the common urban spaces that New Yorkers share, WORKING RHYTHMS invites listeners to actively engage with an original composition of electronic beats made from field recordings of public places in New York City.

The installation consists of eight digitally fabricated sculptures that can be arranged and rearranged on platforms to control musical loops in real time. Each of the sculptures contains six unique loops that play depending on which platform the object is placed upon. The platforms also enclose LEDs which illuminate the sculptures in different colors.

Micro-edited field recordings of the locations form the sonic palette of the music. Sampler instruments create 48 rhythmic patterns that can blend together seamlessly regardless of combination. In his compositional process, Curry draws upon his experiences as a dance music producer, remixer, and DJ to push the boundaries of genre conventions in order to document emotional connections to places and moments in time.

By moving through the exhibit space and combining different sculptures with various platforms, visitors can influence the musical arrangement. This participatory interface gives users – regardless of musical background – a sense of immediacy and discovery as they experiment with physical and sonic arrangements. The installation blurs the line between listener and composer providing a dynamic, interactive remixing experience.