TAMPA, FL.- The Tampa Museum of Art presents Andrew Deutsch & Ann Hamilton: The First Line (Sounds for Drawing) on view at the museum from October 9 through October 31, 2010.
Andrew Deutsch & Ann Hamilton: The First Line (Sounds for Drawing) is the culmination of a decade-long exchange between the two artists; a forum for public participation and an experimental drawing project. Inspired by an observation Ann Hamilton made that the soothing, sweeping sounds of her pencil and hand moving across the surface of the paper while drawing seemed akin to the lyrical cadences of overlapping whispering voices, Andrew Deutsch positioned microphones close to her body as she chanted almost unintelligibly and drew (the graphite work seen here above the drafting table). Now the focus of this interactive installation, the original recordings were filtered and remixed to create soundtracks for drawing. Striving for a deeper engagement with the art on offer, The First Line (Sounds for Drawing) is intended to function as a richly immersive experience.
According to Jade Dellinger who served as guest curator for this project, “both artists view collaboration as integral to their practice and share a keen interest in the impact their work – individually and collectively – has on those who come in contact with it.” As much an archive as an art installation and accruing meaning through use, The First Line (Sounds for Drawing) encourages museum visitors to take a “hands-on” role by contributing a drawing in response to the audio selections provided. All of the drawings collected as part of this installation will be used by Ann Hamilton and Andrew Deutsch in the production of “digital remixes” to be exhibited and published in the future.
“The museum is proud to present this work as part of the museum’s participation in The Big Draw, the international celebration of drawing,” museum Executive Director Todd D. Smith stated. “Additionally, the opportunity to bring the work of two artists of the caliber of Hamilton and Deutsch to the Tampa Bay region is exciting for us. The interactive nature of the work ensures that the museum will continue to be a destination for both the appreciation and creation of art.”
As the United States representative at the 48th Venice Biennale in Italy in 1999; the subject of numerous major exhibitions; and a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur “Genius Award” Fellowship, Ann Hamilton is widely recognized for her site-sensitive, multimedia and performance-based installations.
Perhaps best known for experimental work with John Cage and on-going sonic explorations with Pauline Oliveros and Tony Conrad, Andrew Deutsch identifies himself as a composer, graphic artist and video-maker.
