Soundish V4      Tom Heath Gallery, QUT

Soundish illuminates the acute moments of transference from ice to water. Expressed through auditory & visual ephemerality, the localised cooling & slow fracturing of the ice is both alluring & unnerving, activating compound emotions within the audience – the Kantian sublime.

Aesthetical Considerations with application to theory:

The aesthetics of Soundish V4 has been progressively adapted and refined through each version, 1 to 4. Soundish V4 comprising of a stainless steel 'soundish' and stand, ice / water component and supporting structure, light and time lapse projection. The dimensions and material application defined and regulated by the practical purpose applied to each element.

The Melt Phaze: The steel support structure, purposely exposed and rusted, compliments and amplifies the weight of the ice. The steel beams hug tight to walls and ceiling, at first glance the steel looks part of the architecture, conveniently positioned for the work. With greater thought, realisation ensues that the structure forms part of the piece. The visual and tactile weight, strength and positioning of the structure is in stark contrast to the ephemerality of the ice melting, with its apparent permanence amplifying the rapid loss of the ice and that of the fleeting 'moment'.

As the ice melts the beam becomes progressively visually over-engineered, rendered at odds to the final weight carried. The truss, after the ice has melted, acts as a further visual clue that the body of water captured beneath was once a suspended block of ice (hinted only in artist statement under materials used – and the ghosted time lapse projection played after melt period). The main impact of the work transforms the 'moment' to loss and the aftermath.

Post Melt: At first glance the combined elements of the piece do not reveal the nature of the work. Through methodical deduction the nature of the piece is revealed and to the realisation that 'something' has been missed. The viewer can only imagine to 'what had been', robbed simply by time.

The Ghosted time lapse projection on the wall serving to emphasize that lost moment further, hampered by a 'sketchy' elusive rapidly shrinking footage of the former ice. The footage projected from floor height concealed underneath the bench seat, positioned to be elusive at first engagement. The captured sound of the melting ice is played through the data projector, enticing the viewer to 'take a seat'. The projection when viewed from the bench seat, redefines the position of the once suspended ice. The image floats behind the support ring once encased in ice. The ratio of 'melt time' to the 'aftermath' viewing of the work amplifies greatly the importance of experiencing that 'lost' moment.