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<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><b>Instrument-Builder
Residency</b></p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">The
Hugh Davies Project, in collaboration with Access Space, seeks an
instrument-builder to take up a two-week residency in Sheffield in
early 2016.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">The
aim of the residency is to build an instrument, or instruments, in
the style of English experimental musician and instrument-builder
Hugh Davies, whose instruments involved the amplification of
repurposed every-day objects via contact microphones and magnetic
pickups. Two of his instruments—the Shozyg, and the Springboard—are
briefly described below (see Background).</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Towards
the end of the residency, the resident will deliver a workshop
exploring the instrument-building, amplification, and
performance/playing techniques used. We are also considering the
possibility of an on-site exhibition, in which an instrument or
instruments could be displayed.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">This
residency is being hosted by Access Space, Sheffield
(<font color="#0563c1"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://access-space.org/">http://access-space.org/</a></u></span></font>)
as part of an Arts and Humanities Research Council funded project,
‘Hugh Davies: Electronic Music Innovator’, led by Dr James Mooney
(University of Leeds) in partnership with Dr Tim Boon (The Science
Museum, London). Some further information on the project can be found
here: <font color="#0563c1"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://hughdaviesproject.wordpress.com/">http://hughdaviesproject.wordpress.com</a></u></span></font>.
</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><b>Background</b></p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Hugh
Davies (1943–2005) was an experimental musician, musicologist, and
composer, who became well-known in avant-garde and improvised music
circles for his unique and often playfully eccentric musical
instruments, self-built using every-day objects and found,
re-purposed materials.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">One
of Davies’s instruments, called the Shozyg (built in 1968),
consisted of three fret-saw blades, a ball-bearing mounted furniture
castor, and a small metal spring, mounted inside the covers of a
book. (The book happened to be an encyclopaedia covering the
alphabetic range of topics from SHO to ZYG—hence the instrument’s
name.) These objects were amplified via <i>piezo-electric contact
microphones</i>, such that the tiny vibrations—otherwise
practically inaudible—could be heard via loudspeakers. It was
designed to be played with the fingers, or with the aid of
accessories like screwdrivers, small electric motors, toothpicks,
etc. A brief video of Davies playing the Shozyg can be seen here:
<font color="#0563c1"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPT9A0IsGgs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPT9A0IsGgs</a></u></span></font>.
</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">From
1970 onwards, Davies built a family of a dozen instruments that he
called Springboards. These comprised a number of springs—anything
from one to more than twenty—mounted on wooden blockboard in
various different arrangements, and amplified via <i>electromagnetic
pickups</i> mounted in holes chiselled out of the blockboard. On some
of the Springboards the springs were mounted in parallel, rather like
the strings on a stringed instrument; in others they were mounted in
a ‘fan’ shape. In some of the later Springboards, interesting
effects were achieved by connecting springs together in a ‘web’.
The Springboards could be plucked, played with accessories, or
‘bowed’ with a single hair from a violin bow.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Davies
built over a hundred instruments in his life time. For some further
discussion of Davies’s instrument-building practice, its
background, and subsequent influence, see:
<font color="#0563c1"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://hughdaviesproject.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/conference-presentation-on-hugh-daviess-self-built-instruments/">https://hughdaviesproject.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/conference-presentation-on-hugh-daviess-self-built-instruments/</a></u></span></font>.
</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><b>Facilities</b></p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><a name="_GoBack"></a>
Refab Space is Access Space's DIY Fablab and Hackspace. As well as
the usual bench top workshop facilities including power tools, saws
and drills, Refab Space is also equipped with a 3D printer, precision
laser cutter, CNC router, and digital embroidery machine. The idea is
that with just a few pieces of technology, one can create a huge
diversity physical objects made from a vast number of materials, for
an enormous number of different uses. Designs can be created on a
computer, although Davies’s own approach was rather more lo-fi than
that.
</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Artists
using Refab Space are demonstrating how one can stretch and expand
the boundaries of what one can do with these technologies.
</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0cm;line-height:108%"><br>
</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">
<b>Person Specification</b></p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">You
will have experience of designing and constructing sound-producing
devices from every-day, found, re-purposed, or otherwise ‘ad hoc’
materials, for use in the performance of experimental, avant-garde,
and/or improvised music. Experience in the use (and perhaps
construction) of piezo-electric contact microphones and
electro-magnetic pickups is also essential.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Prior
experience of running workshops with multiple participants, and/or
practically focussed teaching is also essential, as the residency
will involve running a workshop.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">A
background in electroacoustic music or experimental sound art would
be beneficial, and an open mind as to what kinds of sounds might be
considered ‘musical’ is essential; see the video mentioned
previously for an idea of the kind of sound-world Davies’s
instruments occupied.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><b>Fees
and Expenses</b></p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><a name="__DdeLink__110_527607471"></a>
Self catering accommodation will be provided, in Sheffield, for the
resident, along with a flat fee of £1000. Travel to/from Sheffield
at the start/end of the residency will be covered up to a maximum of
£400. A separate materials budget of up to £1000 will also be
provided.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><b>How
to Apply</b></p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Please
send your application, using the template provided, by email to Jake
Harries - <font color="#0563c1"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:jake@access-space.org">jake@access-space.org</a></u></span></font>
- with the subject line “Instrument-Builder Residency”. The
preferred format is a fully electronic submission via email (e.g. PDF
attachments), though if necessary any physical materials (such as a
DVD) can be addressed to: Instrument-Builder Residency, Access Space
Network Ltd, Unit 1, AVEC Bldg, 3-7 Sidney St, Sheffield, South
Yorkshire S1 4RG, United Kingdom. (Be sure to clearly indicate your
name on any physical materials that you send.)</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Your
application should include:</p>
<ul>
<li><p style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Your CV</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">An
explanation of how you meet the criteria outlined in the Person
Specification</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">A portfolio
of your previous instrument-building and other relevant practice;
this would preferably be online, but could be in another suitable
format such as DVD.</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">A brief
outline the instrument(s) you would build during the residency,
including materials and equipment required; process; etc.</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">A brief
outline of the workshop you would deliver, including what the
participants would do and the materials / equipment required.</p>
</li></ul>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%"><b>The
deadline for applications is 5.00pm GMT on Friday 20 November 2015.</b>
</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Short
listed candidates will be interviewed via Skype in the week of the
7th December.</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">All
applicants will be notified of the outcome by 21 December 2015. The
residency itself is expected to take place from 22nd February to 11th
March. (If necessary there may be some flexibility with dates.)</p>
<p class="" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">Informal
enquiries can be addressed to Dr James Mooney –
<font color="#0563c1"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="mailto:j.r.mooney@leeds.ac.uk">j.r.mooney@leeds.ac.uk</a></u></span></font>.
</p>
<p class="" align="left" style="margin-bottom:0.28cm;line-height:108%">
The Arts programme at Access Space is supported using public funding
by Arts Council England.</p><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br>All the best<br>Jake<br></div><div><br></div><div>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></div><div>Jake Harries, <span style="font-size:small">Director of Arts and Innovation</span><br></div><div><a href="http://www.access-space.org" target="_blank">www.access-space.org</a> +44(0)114 249 5522</div><div>@accessspace <a href="http://facebook.com/accessspace" target="_blank">facebook.com/accessspace</a></div><div>3-7 Sidney St, Sheffield, S1 4RG, UK</div><div><a href="mailto:jake@access-space.org" target="_blank">jake@access-space.org</a></div><div>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br></div></div><div><div>The arts programme at Access Space is supported </div><div>using public funding by Arts Council England<br><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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