Dr Cristohper Ramos Flores
29 April - 12 May
Toi Pōneke presents a sound art exhibition titled Little Portals from 29 April to 12 May at Toi Pōneke Gallery, Te Aro; opening on the 28 April at 5:30 pm. The 2022 Toi Pōneke – New Zealand School of Music Sound Artist-in-Residence, Dr. Cristohper Ramos Flores, presents the works produced during his residency. Little Portals is an audio and visual ensemble. Letterboxes collected from different points in Wellington were modified to work as loudspeakers and mechatronic instruments with small video players; acting as a miniature audio and visual orchestra that performs works composed for the exhibition.
“Letterboxes are like little portals” says Cris about his exhibition.
“They magically make letters, books, goods, photos, bills, happy and sad news appear in front of us. That’s exactly how music is to me, it magically brings many things to our lives. It is my hope that Little Portals helps the audience appreciate how these objects sitting outside our houses help us keep close to loved-ones, family, friends, and parts of our lives that are far away from us, and in doing so, sing a simple little song on every delivery. I hope it also helps us appreciate the work of those behind the magic of the postal service.”
Originally from Mexico, composer and sound artist Dr Cris Ramos Flores arrived in New Zealand in 2016 to undertake a doctoral program in music composition at Victoria University. His research focused on developing technology that makes acoustic instruments have electronic capabilities. His dissertation also considered the objects that make sound —instruments, software, electronics, etc.— as part of the musical work. In the case of Little Portals, the letterboxes are the objects that not only produce the sound but are also a physical part of the musical compositions.
“It all started on the summer of 2021 when I didn’t have a job and my friend Blair Latham—a great musician that features in the exhibition—convinced me to apply to work at NZ Post. A few weeks later I was delivering around Wellington and, once I had learned my rounds, I realised that letterboxes are constantly singing a song made out of dings, clangs, crashes, creaks, and thumps so distantly spaced that it becomes unnoticeable. This unique soundscape is the subject of this exhibition” says Cris.
Little Portals is an accumulation of found and made sounds, electronically modified to receive data to be reproduced and ‘sent out’ by the letterboxes themselves amplifying them as messenger and instrument.
opens friday 28 april at 5:30pm
Little Portals is on until 12 may
little portals live concert
thursday 4 may at Toi Poneke
Check out the video below of Cris with fellow musicians Blair Latham (Sax), Dan Beban (Guitar), and Andy Wright (Drums) here at Toi Pōneke. What an incredible experience that was for everyone there!!!
