Wrapping (2000)

This one-off performance was part of an event called ‘Quiet’ at Bar Centro in Manchester. Inspired by the title, I decided to work with volume and make a piece which would gradually get quieter.

In ‘Wrapping’ I controlled volume by wrapping and unwrapping radios and tape recorders in newspaper, packing tape and tinfoil . Over the course of the work, sounds emitted by the radios and tape players got quieter and then louder as I wrapped and unwrapped them. By the end of the performance, the devices were nearly silent. Conversely, the sound of tape being ripped or paper being ruffled, torn and handled seemed to get louder.