1/4″ Mulch is a new series of art events starting in the Lincoln area. Artists James Hubble, Ross Oliver and Joana Cifre Cerdà work with microphones, compost, magnetic tape, computers, handmade electronics and a rig of up to 100 salvaged speakers to animate disused spaces.

¼” Mulch beginnings

During 2012 James and Ross began late night field recording, experimenting with magnetic tape machines and mimicking audible signs of life with a compost heap. Every so often these processes would overlap and connections became apparent.

James was interested in recording the un-tamed environment and manipulating these recording from a safe distance, so naturally he required external, un-tamable disrupters to stimulate such an environment

Joana is a keen, visceral improviser and began to reveal sounds that neither James nor Ross could have considered. Ross and Joana work frequently together, so Ross is very familiar with her practice yet has found her process consistently unpredictable.

Ross is intimately attached to his compost heap. Musically, his practice is centred around improvising with others, yet he has recently become aware of the ramifications of idly tampering with his compost for the purpose of this performance. He has found his actions toward the heap have become dictated by what needs doing in order to maintain its healthy consistency. Although at first this seems like handicap, it has become a testament to how well these sounds naturally adhere to each other.

This project has presented an opportunity for each of the artists to explore paths they would have never considered before.

¼”Mulch

“Now, to pry into roots, to finger slime,
To stare, big-eyed Narcissus, into some spring
Is beneath all adult dignity. I rhyme
To see myself, to set the darkness echoing.” – Seamus Heaney

They work with microphones, compost, magnetic tape, computers, handmade electronics and a rig of up to 100 salvaged speakers to animate disused spaces.

They are becoming liberated from the desire to constantly remain current with technology. More than ever people feel free to explore the history of technology as though they were exploring territories. As time goes on this naturally becomes a richer and richer place for investigation and more fascinating paths to explore will open.

Two weeks prior to the festival, Ross, Oliver and Joana will be introduced to a space with the intent of unleashing 1/4″ Mulch into an alien territory ready for performance during the festival.

Follow them: @quarterinmulch

Connect with them: https://www.facebook.com/quarterinchmulch