Lucy Stevens' audio projects

Project space at the GC Gallery

6 Oct 2011

Since returning from a month-long residency in France (April), I’ve been thinking of ways to develop the ideas and techniques used to create sound installation The End of the Line. Most of the studio work was based on the interpretation of data, listing carrier pigeons successful and failed attempts at delivering messages during the Franco-Prussian War (pigeon post into Paris).

I’ve been using the project space at the Great Central Gallery in Leicester between July – September to create installations/experiments that analyse the social and flocking behaviour of pigeons, using scientific theories and models, whilst examining our current relationship with pigeons. I’ve been experimenting with creating installations using sound recordings taken from pigeon lofts and fanciers, using found objects and pigeon-related items (bird grit, pigeon feet, whole pigeon wings and feathers).

A pound of pigeon uses bird grit to demonstrate the average weight of a pigeon, positioned in the shape of the topological distance model to represent a flock of birds. The pigeon feathers; in a ‘V’ shape, show the wings when at their highest point, in relation to the flushing distance model (how close one can get to a bird before it flies off.)