Francene, a native Californian and desert lover, enjoys writing poems and short stories when not playing household percussion or creating weird mixed-media art. She loves all things animal, vegetable, and mineral, reading /watching Sci Fi, and organic gardening and composting. Attaining far too much formal education, she spent many years sharing tidbits of this knowledge to alternative high school students. Time most recently spent has been on organizing art shows, book fairs, and playing repurposed objects for sonic values with her husband, Mark, in the collaborative Phog Masheeen in alternative music (noise) shows.
PARTICIPATION
Gallery Show, April 27 – June 1, 2024:
Rubber Band Box Orchestra (2013)
Cereal Box Orchestra (2012)
Household Percussion Jam (2008)
Interaction with the an installation piece gives people a different kind of appreciation for sound art. The Rubberband Box, Orchestra is simple, portable, and adjustable for different tones. The Cereal Box Orchestra is dependent on the type of cereal, density, and box size to produce various sonic values. The Household Percussion Jam utilizes familiar objects and repurposes them in a way not intended by the manufacturers to produce sound.
Beating on an object is primal and demonstrates self-efficacy creating noise (I did that!). All ages can participate in all three interactive installations.
On a regular basis, using household percussion elements, I play with other people doing live improvisation performances at various venues and experimental sound and music events. My signature is using Bundt pans and a variety of pots, bowls, and sonic objects. When struck, these repurposed objects produce sounds ranging from melodic to chaotic. I had always thought of “art” as objects of magnificence. I got over that only recently… My sound / visual art is not generated for praise or recognition, but for the process of creation and entertainment value, including interactives that entertain others. Can “art” be completely free of judgment from others? Usually there is punishment from society if too far along the continuum. As a sound artist, I cannot help but whack on bowls, pots, lids, or dustpans and test them for their sonic abilities. Forks, telephone parts, and even espresso maker filter baskets produce wonderful tonal values. (A single sounds different than a double!). My art is the journey and enjoyment: the message I am expressing. Self-expression is very gratifying and good for the psyche.