‘Resonate’, is a live drawing performance by Libby Derham using sound and live projection. In its first ‘developmental stage’ iteration, sound was mixed by Brisbane based sound artist Joseph Burgess (also known as Unregistered Master Builder). Using audio field recordings of the birds from Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve on Jinibara country, Sunshine Coast, audience witnessed the combination of watercolour and cymatics, the visualisation of sound.
A palette of considered colours, representing plumage is injected into the dish as each bird’s call pulses and Libby paints with ‘live liquids’ as she calls it, pulling and pushing pigment with pipettes as the vibrations change. “I find myself being lost in the play of experimentation as I draw with pipettes and paint”.
Her choice in birds specific to each project is informed by declining bird population data (Bird Life) from the habitat of focus. “I like to work with parameters within my process to focus more specifically on the birds within the body of work. Acoustic Ecology and collaboration with sound artists and scientists is where I feel my work is heading.”
Libby explains…
“In a darkened room a cacophony of bird sounds can be heard through speakers’ system driven and mixed by Joseph, I close my eyes and begin to scribe the bird song to line with pencils. I find myself disappearing from the crowd, immersed into nature. The increasing divergence between Art and Science intrigues and excites me.”
‘Resonate’ formed part of ‘Project 24’artist in residence program and ‘The Path’ mentorship program (led by Kellie O’Dempsey), supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Arts Coast, and will lead onto an Artist in Residence and exhibition in the Tanks Art Centre, Cairns in 2023. The packed room of audience members commented on the qualities of the performance that caught their attention, “like a beautiful dance”. “Your work is emotive”, “such an incredible experience”, “feeling the vibrations of the birds through the floor added a whole other level”.
The ‘Gifted Program’ from Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation enabled Libby Derham to kick start the very beginnings of this project and enabled Libby valuable groundwork including AV assistance with Joseph Burgess and film creation to see the validity of the experimentation. Libby explained “Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation are truly wonderful, acknowledgment and support in your passion, hard work and dedication to your art form. People themselves who are passionate about the arts and want to see you succeed.
Now, after experimentation, dedication and validation from performance, Libby sees the future in the Cymatics work. “I see ‘Resonate’ as a series of live performances within the gallery space, each one producing a ‘Cymagraph’ drawing, slowly building an installation on the gallery wall. The audience are witness to my process through live projection and the audio sounds of a specific habitat. Mesmerising shifting fluid colours in liquid, flowing, and dispersing with visual vibrations.”
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‘Resonate’ formed part of ‘Project 24’ artist in residence program and ‘The Path’ mentorship program (led by Kellie O’Dempsey), supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Arts Coast. Libby Derham was also the recipient of the 'Gifted Program' from Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation which greatly supported this project.
Resonate watercolour and liquid Cymatics development showing. Transcribing birdsong
Special thanks to Joseph Burgess also known as Unregistered Master Builder, Kellie O’Dempsey and ‘The Path’ Program with Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council, Sunshine Coast Arts Foundation (under the Gifted Program), Project 24 Residencies with Sunshine Coast Council and ArtsCoast and Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Jinibara Country, Sunshine Coast.
Drawing Performance by Libby Derham Sound mixing by Joseph Burgess (Unregistered Master Builder)
Videography by Timothy Birch
Photo credit: Warwick Gow and Cooper Brady
sounds courtesy of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and https://xeno-canto.org/ and
individual sound recordists: Greg McLachlan, Mike Fitzgerald, James Lambert, Graeme Chapman