Deeds Done In the Body, 2022 
Featuring The New Vocal Club
Modified slide carousel, screen, vinyl floor, PA, custom sound baffles, LED light strips
 
Exhibition: 12 & 13 July, 12 pm to 5 pm, The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh EH3 9DF
Event: Wednesday 13 July, 6.30 to 8 pm 
 
This iteration of The New Vocal Club features the voices of Peter, Jill, Aileen, Ronnie, Edith, David, Leigh, Steve, Liam, Jonathan, Christie and Kerry, Seth Bennett on bass, John Kenny on trombone, Semay Wu on cello and Casey Miller on percussion & electrics.  
 
Over the past five years, Scotland-based artist Benjamin Owen has been experimenting with live sound-tracking, whereby musicians are invited to improvise compositions along with a programme of live performances, spoken word, talks, demonstrations, and films. These live events are the outcome of time the artist has spent as a filmmaker working in care settings often over several years. Instead of sharing films representing these situations, a live event stands in as a proxy. He is interested in the potential of public spaces outside of formal gallery settings, creating artwork and social events that can unfold in public libraries, care settings, and broadcast media.

Deeds Done In the Body is a test presentation as part of The New Vocal Club, a collective voice and a year-long project by Benjamin Owen and collaborators exploring vocal cultures, soundtracking, and performance.

The New Vocal Club Live at The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh

Earth People Come Home Bass

Part film installation, part oral history documentary, and part found-sound collage, The New Vocal Club is based on interviews and film recorded between 2021 and 2022 with local groups and communities including PKAVS, St Johnstone FC and local choirs. The resulting collage of film, free jazz, Gaelic song and textiles creates a sonic tapestry of voices.

Performance by long-term conditions choir Vocal Chord with musicians Seth Bennett and Shiori Usio dovetailing the tune into the soundtrack of the film.

Counter point work with Vocal Chord and Seth Bennett

Too Much Stink Not Enough

A broadcast duet with artist vocalist Maggie Nicols and St Cecilia's instrument conservator Jonathan Santa Maria Bouquet (Glasgow and Edinburgh)

Part of a film/audio work with support from Lux Scotland and BBC

Benjamin Owen

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