blackbird online journal spring 2002 vol.1 no. 1

 

MARK HARRIS | Work and Commentary

Sound Installation

Streets of London, 2003 (made with Peter Lloyd Lewis).


Buskers in London and musicians in Richmond, Virginia, are filmed as they audition a version of Ralph McTell's celebrated busking song from the 1960s, "Streets of London." The video loops of twenty-one musicians are shown on four monitors in London during the exhibition. Documenting a series of events in London and in Richmond, Virginia, an exhibition at London gallery 1 000 000 mph incorporates live music, a video sculpture and photographs of the previous weeks' performances/happenings.

The Invitation: To see what happens when a number of musicians and buskers are invited to make use of a gallery as they wish. They are initially asked to play a song of their choice which they associate with London and to perform an interpretation of Ralph McTell's classic recording "Streets of London," recorded in 1969.

The Response: Twenty-one musicians and groups take part. Two of the four video loops show musicians playing versions of McTell's song; a third shows London musicians playing their own music; the fourth shows Richmond musicians playing versions of the Clash's "London Calling."

 


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