The Big Pink - Tapes

A format proposal for the Tapes compilation put together by The Big Pink for the K7 label. This takes 'Tapes' to its most literal conclusion yet it also uses the unplayable format to highlight how the majority of the compiled music doesn't even exist in a physical form. The package also attempts to create intrigue by secreting the information (download links, sleeve notes, etc) inside the spool-less cassette. The opening of the case with the supplied screwdriver forces the purchaser to invest effort and time into the download process culminating in a forced ritual aiming to heighten anticipation.

External text is laser-etched on card and internal text is printed on lightweight tracing paper. Initially there was a suggestion of incorporating a 'euro hole' for hanging the card as "product" but, later, it was felt that a more minimal approach captured some of the eeriness of the 'haunted' hypnotic tracks selected by The Big Pink's Milo Cordell. A key influence in the use of restrained aesthetic was Cordell's description of it as "the sound of America slowly dying" so, like some of the other deliverables for this semester's project, it tries to communicate a sense of 'the memorial'.


*Additional note: I should have mentioned that the dimensions of the pack was determined by the kind of media mail packaging that amazon uses for DVDs, books, etc. The hand-in will be presented in one of these. The additional layer is not just to post the item: it relates to Tal Brosh's comments about opening an item which, of course, influenced the deliverable itself.

Formats (continued)

I spoke to Will Bankhead (of Mo Wax and Honest Jons fame) via email this week. Aside from picking his brains about "the cultural value of specific formats" and other academic stuff relevant to this study, I was also keen to know where he gets his Trilogy Tapes releases manufactured. He passed on the contact and they've since said that they should be able to supply me with a few of their very nice products [see below]: even in the kind of miniscule numbers I need in order to start playing around. They also have a selection of CD and DVD packaging alternatives that might be good to experiment with.

Additionally, a mate works in a recording studio. Junglist Shy FX is currently busy there and, after some light badgering, the producer has said that he'll ask his manufacturer/distributor about whether I can get hold of some non-retail vinyl formats. I'm particularly interested in getting some unpressed vinyl while developing this idea of the 'blank' or unplayable format.

Asportatio Acroamatis

Documented on his site http://heartlessmachine.com, Christopher Locke creates fossilized versions of electronic artefacts. He says:

"Most of these examples were discovered in the United States, although the various species are represented all over the world. It is sad, but most of these units lived very short lives. Most people attribute the shortened lifespan to aggressive predators or accelerated evolution, but this is not necessarily true. It has been shown recently that the true demise of most of these specimens came from runaway consumerism and wastefulness at the high end of the food chain."

The series includes museum-ready versions of the iPod, the Ghetto Blaster, the Walkman and the 8-track tape but the following is a particular favourite.

Asportatio Acroamatis
(commonly referred to as the Cassette Tape)

This species was first seen in the mid 1960s, but is not widespread until the 1970s. Similar to Repondecium antiquipotacium, it is thought that the compact disc lead to the decline in the Asportatio acroamatis population in the late 1990s. Asportatio has often been found in close proximity to Ambulephebus sonysymphonia, suggesting a close relationship between the two species.

Asportatio acroamatis is included in the surrounding matrix (stone base). Coloration varies from a light gray to reddish to brownish to a dark gray.

Painted Records by Dwellephant

Some more painted records. These feature the excellent illustration style of Dwellephant who, by rights, should really be doing something for Cartoon Network. Favourite bit here is the third image where the hole is used as an eye.

Indigo's painted record

This item was spotted on a forum devoted to collectable vinyl. I like how the accompanying text simultaneously takes the piss out of the muso-like craving for rarities and yet it still demonstrates the emotional attachment that we can have to objects. And aesthetically? Well, if this was a proper release by Sonic Youth, Radiohead or Tortoise, people would be fighting over it. I already think it's brilliant.

"Here it is! The Devil's Most Prized Record!!! So RARE! A limited edition of ONE!!! Unplayable brown SPRAY PIANT colored vinyl with hand drawn SKULL graphics and signed by the artist himself, my son Indigo!!! This record means more to me than any other record in my collection. It has hung on my wall since my boy did this for me several years ago. He must have been about 5 or 6 or so years old or so when he did it. This one will stay with me FOREVER!!! Jealous? I know you are..."

Also not to be confused with the picture disc, I've spotted a wide range of other artists that have been using vinyl as their canvas. I'll post some of those subsequently unplayable works in due course.

Wooden "music"

Following on from the last post, I thought I'd gather together some examples of music formats or hardware replicated in other, supposedly unplayable materials. The following are all wood interpretations with the first being the cover for The Wire's Undercurrents book which was designed by Non-Format (whose record covers I previously referenced).

Images two and three document the 2008 work of artist Elisa Strinna as featured on Inti Gueurrero. In a fashion, these do actually play.

"A series of thin slices of wood are cut from different types of tree trunks, which are later sanded down to a certain thickness as to resemble LP vinyls. When played, the trunk’s rings, which mark the life cycles of the tree, are translated into sound. The abstract sound produced is an utterance of the cultural translation of nature’s History"

Image four is a heat transfer on wood that's sold via, U.S. interiors site, Bughouse and number five is the artwork for µ-Ziq's 1995 album, In Pine Effect. The final three pictures feature the various formats for Money Mark's Brand New By Tomorrow from 2007 although the wooden items themselves were created in 2003 by Todd St. John and Gary Benzel of Hunter Gatherer.

Unplayable music formats

I've been posting a selection of desirable design for music that plays on notions of collectability but, before going too far down a nostalgia route and forgetting the rationale for what I want to do, I'm posting this video as a quick reminder.

I had already considered the idea of an 'unplayable' music format that links with the Matthew Dear 'Totem' and the Scion booklet. I suggested etched discs or CDs printed on both sides with the packaging for these containing the download links. The product itself would be a physical collectable.

I'm still interested in exploring these over coming weeks. However, I was just considering the whole 'circular' format of CDs and vinyl and wondered about replacing these with other circular items. I was just thinking about whether a 5 inch buzz saw blade that was packaged as a CD might be an interesting and provocative 'object'. Only there's this concept of potential format destruction that I'm toying with [although some of the ideas hinge on the availability of specific machinery/facilities] and this kind of hazardous emblem might work within that. But it's just one idea.

Anyway, the video here ironically demonstrates my proposed circular unplayable music format actually being played.