SHARDS: Four new tracks

I have a new set of tracks completed and available for listening to on my soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/michael-fairfax or if you fancy one with fancy artwork then please contact me at: michaelfairfax@eclipse.co.uk.
All the tracks are improvised and created on my own sculpted string instruments, which I bow, pluck, beat and scrape. I use two loopers to create loops and a mixing desk with effects to create reverb and other sounds.  I record with one microphone and only top and tail the editing.

High Wycombe gig

If you are around High Wycombe this saturday, then there is a terrific event starring Martin Creed but also featuring me, with the instruments that have been made for me by "Out of the Dark" http://www.outofthedark.org.uk/ and a link to a video on the guardian website of them, which by chance includes the making of the 'Harry Bertoia' piece: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/video/2014/may/27/out-of-the-dark-restoring-furniture-direction-troubled-teenagers-video
This is a new venture for me to be designing instruments that will then be created by others.  The project has been put together by Edmund Harcourt of Hogarth Productions who have organised the Whitely Festival for many years.I am off tomorrow for three days rehearsals with these instruments, that I haven't seen or played, so that is rather exciting. 

Harry Bertoia inspired instrument

Guitar Box

Rulers

Peninnis window: Isle of Scilly Camera Obscura

And so to the last window of the series the Peninnis Window.  After this series I will be making a series of hanging camera obscuras later in the year, turned wood with lens and screen inserted.

half drilled

drilled

The Power Station Window on the Isle of Scilly Camera Obscura

Another window completed for the Camera Obscura on the Isle of Scilly, this one faces the powerstation.

Drilling in Progress

Fully Drilled

The Charring

The Dumnonni Carving

This weekend with my son Solomon I went to a LARP a Live Action Role Playing event in deepest Devon, my role to be Gorius of Gorius a highly skilled woodcarver repaying a debt of honour to Culhaven.  My son was happy being crew and fighting battles while I carved away in the village, fed and watered and generally well looked after.
Did I know what to carve?  No.  So I sought my charcoal and free formed onto a slab of oak and let the chisels decide and the pleasure was immense, pure joy of intuition and tools.
So this is what I carved and left in the village a gift to the King and honour restored.