Camden Arts Centre

Haroon Mirza

07 Oct 2011 - 08 Jan 2012

Haroon Mirza Feat. Richard ‘Kid’ Strange, A Sleek Dry Yell 2008 (detail)
Courtesy the artist and Lisson Gallery © Haroon Mirza
HAROON MIRZA
I saw square triangle sine
7 October, 2011 - 8 January, 2012

Using an eclectic range of objects and elements including used furniture, outdated electric appliances, electronic materials, light and the appropriated work of other artists, Mirza creates complex audio installations which investigate the moment where noise becomes music.

For his new installation made for Gallery 3, Mirza is bringing together a number of instruments traditionally associated with bands including a keyboard, drum kit and synthesisers fused with turntables, LED lighting, lamps and radios in order to create a minimal audio composition.

In Mirza’s assemblages each element plays a specific part; objects affect each other and are reconfigured in different ways. Similar to a band there is no singular focus rather the work is a constantly moving combination of elements which merge through discordant and harmonious beats and rhythms. Through an investigation of both sculptural assemblage and musical composition Mirza reveals the formation of music in the course of an autonomous live experience.

Part of his installation for Camden Arts Centre re-uses an idea originated in a work by Angus Fairhurst, Underdone / Overdone Paintings (1998) where he allowed the audience to play the drums while looking at his paintings. Mirza is exhibiting a number of these paintings as well as a drum kit as part of his exhibition in order to honour Fairhurst’s original intention for the work. Visitors will be able to make their own rhythmic contribution of noise, sound or music to Mirza’s controlled acoustic environment.

Mirza views his use of other artists work in the same way as he views the found objects and musical equipment in an installation; each containing their own social and political history so when combined together new contexts are formed. Mirza is interested in taking art to the peripheries of music and his work is informed by the history of both art and music – specifically the avant-garde musicians Edgar Varèse and Karlheinz Stockhausen, who pushed music into the language of visual art.

Haroon Mirza’s installation has been transformed in collaboration with Django Django for Frieze week and there will be a one-off performance in the space on Friday 14 October as part of our special preview evening. I saw square triangle sine will be restored to its original state from Tuesday 18 October.
 

Tags: Angus Fairhurst, Haroon Mirza