'If I'm breathing, I'm singing'...

What does one do if one finds some "knackered, dusty exotic birds in an auction... with missing wings and dismembered heads? Not only did artist Jane Edden quickly bid on them but she used her findings in a multi-media installation created at Hospitalfield Artists Residency in Scottland.

"the memorial chapel particularly struck me. Entering the chapel is like participating in a scene from sleeping beauty. Dusty and cold its carvings of birds, animals and flowers are a celebration of nature that for most of the time are left in peace to sleep... It was the perfect place to take the birds to find their voices."

The birds were given tiny micro-chips (that amplify and switch the sound they produce) with lovely voices of local singers. This gives them an artificial life. "I thought in the chapel this would be slightly Frankenstein, but its more ethereal, as if the birds are singing into the devices. Then again that is probably me just projecting more personality on them." Truly Inspiring!!!

This group of 'Insect Specimens' is an earlier work of Jane's. Although they do not sing, they are facinating in their use of brass insects, solar cells, motors, twigs, and book pages... (Jane's work can also be found at England & Co. Gallery

Comments

[jane England]

I saw your entry on Jane Edden and also the image you show of her earlier 'stick insect' work - this piece is currently on view in a group exhibition at my gallery www.englandgallery.com

[elaine haby]

Wonderful work! I must get back into the studio right away... e

[kim]

wow, that is wonderful

[cruststation]

Absolutely beautiful, I love the birds (top 2 pictures).

[kirsty]

Wow, this stuff is SO cool!! I love it.

And I'm sure we have plagues of those last things around here. We get plagues of everything.

[ParisBreakfasts]

Truly facinating !
You do it again Ulla :)