LINCOLN, MA.- The DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park presents “Ron Kuivila: An Outgoing Message,” on view through January 2004 at the Media Space @ DeCordova/Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Gallery. An Outgoing Message is an exhibition meant to be heard rather than seen. This sound installation is based on Ron Kuivila’s studies of the tones used by telephones throughout the world. The dial tones, rings, and busy signals of the world’s telephone systems comprise an odd collection of simple musical gestures. Kuivila has used these to create a two-channel musical work. One channel will be played in the gallery through speakers. To experience the other channel and complete the work, visitors will have to pick up one of the many phones installed in the gallery and listen. In addition, quartz watches will be installed around the gallery set to chime their hourly tones at all times of the hour. This exhibition is organized by George Fifield, Curator of New Media.

Ron Kuivila studied with Alvin Lucier at Wesleyan University and with Robert Ashley and David Behrman at Mills College. Kuivila has performed and exhibited throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Recent projects have included commissions from MASS MoCA, the ZKM, Singuhr Galerie, Berlin, and V2, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He is on the faculty of the Music Department at Wesleyan University.