Present Tense Biennial: Chinese Character (2009)
Tamara Albaitis
Convey (Your Truth), 2009
37 raw speaker cones, audio wire, wood dowels, monofilament and two 4-minute soundtracks
"Alphabets and basic vocal utterances are what make up our most predominant form of communication: language. Language defines cultures literally yet has a deeper tie to each of us individually. Speech comes from our breath (chi – the soul), the shape of our mouth (our physicality) and the tradition of our heritage (our politics and religion.) Vertical and horizontal languages are examined and depicted here at their most basic state, exposing that at the root of it all: we all sound the same."
"A special thanks goes out to the following who, without them, this project could of never been realized: Steven Chan, Abby Chen, Jeanine Lionardo, Nicolas Horber, Michelle Hyun, Bruno Marteniz, and Mr. Utretch." - Tamara Albaitis
Present Tense Biennial: Chinese Character
May 1 - August 23, 2009
Chinese Culture Center
San Francisco, CA
Photo credit: Scott Chernis