Reconciliation (Disco)

November 17 - December 9, 2023 @ Mason Exhibitions Arlington

Reconciliation (Disco) is a single installation that exists as both a work of art and a platform where other works of art can exist. The installation consists of 2 loudspeakers, a video projector, and a disco ball. It is controlled by a host of sensors, microcontrollers, and a computer.

The installation combines field recordings, snippets of music recorded in the studio, and found audio. The audio is placed in relation to real space. Participants can move the speakers to modify, modulate, and combine the audio, creating unique soundscapes that fill the gallery. The work empowers the users to explore and create a soundscape that connects to other places, times, and experiences.

In tandem with the audio, dual projectors cast multiple video streams onto reflective surfaces, creating a fragmented visual panorama within the gallery.

The installation comes to life through the manual repositioning of speakers by gallery visitors. These speakers possess omnidirectional mobility and rotational capabilities. Rotating the speakers alters the audio source, while their movement along the x and y axes modifies the corresponding sounds. Notably, the rotational adjustments align with actual compass directions, anchoring the audio in relation to real-world space. With two speakers navigating cardinal directions, the potential combinations of sounds become boundless.

About the Artist:
Brian Davis lives and works in Northern Virginia. Born in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, Mr. Davis was raised in Guam and South Carolina. He teaches New Media and Sculpture at The George Washington University and George Mason University. Mr. Davis has a B.F.A in General Studio from Winthrop University and a M.F.A in Sculpture from the University of Florida. Mr. Davis was recently awarded a Professional Fellowship in New Media by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA).