Asking the question ‘Is ignorance bliss?’ 20-year-old Tom Cookson from Huddersfield, currently on the first year of a BA (Hons) Fine Art degree course at the College, won the 2007 Neville Street Light and Sound Project in Leeds.
His prize included a £500 bursary and the opportunity to work with the three other winner from institutions whithin Leeds, in a series of seminars and masterclasses with Hans Peter Kuhn, Arup Associates’ SoundLab in London, the Sonic Arts Network, and others involved in ‘A Sound and Light Transit’.
The project was developed by Sue Ball of MAAP as part of the Neville St Interpretive Programme in collaboration with ‘A Sound and Light Transit’, a major public art commission for Leeds with artist Hans Peter Kuhn and Bauman Lyons Architects.
Tom’s proposal was selected by Moira Innes, curator of Leeds Met Gallery, and the course team from an Open Submission Call for Entries to BA (Hons) Fine Art students.
Tom hadn’t initially planned to enter the competition, but after the lecture by internationally renowned sound and light artist Hans Peter Kuhn he was inspired to try his hand with a variety of mediums. His proposal comprised a sound piece, with two parts comparing childhood innocence to a more worldly view of corruption.
You need to upgrade your Flash Player This audio file requires Flash version 7 or above and javascript turned on.
Tom's sound installation, "Urban Birdsong", commented on how wildlife in urban environments competes with noise pollution to make its songs and mating calls heard. Through the manipulation of found sounds, from bus brakes to passing traffic noise, Tom created a piece that subtly emanates from bird boxes perched in the branches of a canal side tree, emulating the twittering and chirping of birdsong. The exhibition opened in conjunction with Leeds Light Night, October 10th 2008.
Visit www.tom-cookson.
