https://soundcloud.com/jujuan_day1/final-draft-audio-project-1
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Time is Ticking: Carpe Diem - Artist Statement by Sam Tocci
Time is a funny thing. We sometimes fool ourselves into thinking we have plenty of it. Then all of a sudden we realize we don't have enough. Time seems to drag when we are waiting for something. When we are busy or enjoying ourselves the time flies by and we wish we had more. I find it sad that many of us, myself included spend a good portion of our day on our jobs. Not only am I referring to the time spent on the job at work, but also preparing for and commuting to work. I was reminded of this while reading the Sounding/Rhythms chapter of Performance and The Contemporary City. On pg. 154 Phillip Wander ( It just dawned on me how ironic this name is!) introduces the English translation of Henri Lefebvrian's Everyday Life in the Modern World: 'Everyday life' refers to dull routine, the ongoing go-to-work, pay-the-bills, homeward trudge of daily existence. It indicates a sense of being in the world beyond philosophy virtually beyond the capacity of language to describe, that we know simply as the grey reality enveloping all that we do. I don't feel that my life is this way but there are moments where I can see how easily I might find myself in that frame of mind. I chose to use a live timer throughout my performance to illustrate the point that the clock is always ticking. It never ever stops.can see how easily I might find myself in that frame of mind. I chose to use a live timer throughout my performance to illustrate the point that the clock is always ticking. It never ever stops. My live body is present throughout to show the transition from uneasiness to a more relaxed state of mind as I drift downtown. "Free your mind" is a phrase I've often heard. I know I want to do that but it's not easy for me. Having an idea or feeling inspired to create is one thing. I've always had a tough time getting started and following through. The challenges I face on a daily basis have my mind going in so many different directions. There are many options for spending my time, too many it seems. It's difficult to narrow them down. I have so many possibilities but so little time to explore them. I have a project due soon. I need to settle down and get started. Instead I get anxious and have trouble concentrating so I put things off. My work study area feels quiet and comfortable. Why do I find it so hard to settle down and get to work? I think about our upcoming second performance which is due very soon. Recalling the teamwork of our first class performance I suddenly feel very alone. I've always thought I could be an artist if I took the time to apply myself. I tried learning the bass guitar in my teens but it didn't come easily to me so I didn't stick with it. I've never had an easy time following through once I start something. Ideas come to me but there never seems to be enough time to bring them to light. I want to be aware and keep up with current happenings but the pace of the world is such that I have no urge to keep up or catch up. I feel at times that I'm looking for a sign or waiting for a signal to tell me when. Becoming an actor has changed this to a degree but I still have a long way to go. I have to remind myself that even though the days seem long, the years are going by rather quickly. Time is truly of the essence. There is no time like the present. Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Okay, I know I can do this. My goal is to develop a performance with an emphasis on sounds of the city. Live audio or Foley sounds? Mediate or remediate? What to do? There is such an array of possibilities and combinations of media. At my desk in my makeshift home office I try to formulate a plan of attack but to no avail. My thoughts seem scattered and I feel distracted. Why is it so hard to focus? Maybe getting away my desk will help? I think it's time for a trip downtown. For me taking the train downtown is the only way to "fly." I've always enjoyed riding trains. There is something very soothing about the rhythm and sound of the train rolling over the tracks. That's why I chose to start my project with the ambient sounds of the train and it's passengers. The trip is just long enough to allow me to feel like I'm getting away and really travelling. I worked downtown from 2001 to 2004. The most difficult part was usually getting to the station in enough time to board. Once the doors would close it was typically smooth sailing. I am a people watcher and there were plenty of interesting individuals to watch, both on the train and on the streets. Walking the streets of downtown Chicago usually brought a smile to my face. Seeing the buildings and busy streets made me feel like I was in movie most of the time. Seeing the volume of people disembarking the train gave me a sensation of feeling less alone, more like I was a part of the world. It helped me to realize with so many people and so much happening in the world, all my problems were little ones. The experience definitely influenced me in wanting to take these courses. I made a point of showing the former Sears Tower because it is one of the telltale signs that I am back in the Windy City. Union station is hub of sorts with both Metra and Amtrak trains going all different directions. Strolling through the station, I feel as though I'm part of a movie. I see people from all walks of life. Onward and upward! I spot a sign on the Civic Opera House at advertising Das Rheingold, and opera on which one of my favorite stories, The Lord of The Rings is based. This immediately lifts my spirits! My first stop is our Media Performance class where I get some information and insight into the project. This increases my enthusiasm and energizes me. I hit the streets with my delightful companion and classmate, Shelley Sanders and head north. I selected the LaSalle street bridge as it ties in with my first class project. I feel the voices and footsteps are good examples of ambient sound, are the clanging sounds of ladders and scaffolding of workman nearby. The next stop is Fado, an Irish pub at 100 w. Grand Ave. I have a Theatre acquaintance who works there and having been there previously, I know the food is good and the atmosphere is lively enough to obtain some ambient sounds from the lunchtime crowd. Although I believe I prefer quiet places, the commotion of the busy pub seems to force me to tune out the noise and tune in to my own thoughts. I'm starting to relax. Back on the streets after lunch, Shelley and I head south and pass by the Goodman Theatre at 170 N. Dearborn. I included this photo because it serves as a reminder of my potential and hopes for the future. Maybe someday? Our last stop is the Harold Washington Library at 401 S. Plymouth Ct. I considered this as a good place to get focused and narrow down my options. Despite the number of people, and the noisy lobby, the upper floors of the library seem fairly quiet, as one might expect. A quote from T.S. Eliot regarding the existence of libraries confirms I have made the right choice. The black glass sculpture is included because of it's stunning visual appeal in addition to the ambient sounds of patrons in the vicinity . I have to say that the visit to the library served a dual purpose. Not only did it contribute some audio to my project but it gave Shelley and I the opportunity to rehearse a scene from The Mercy Seat for our Acting class. This was a pleasant diversion that helped clear my mind. Seeing a crowd waiting for the elevator we opt to take the escalator down. The percussive sound of the escalator at times brought to my mind an assembly line such as might be found in a factory. I felt it was a good example of the concept of the "rhythm of the city." About halfway down the escalator was out of service but our footsteps served as additional percussion as we descended. Heading back toward Union Station after class I notice a sign at the Cadillac Palace at 151 W. Randolph. There was sign above the entrance which read "Chicago Ideas Week!" This brings a smile to my face as it illustrates the purpose of my visit to the city: drifting for ideas. The sound of a boat is not quite what I hoped for but I feel that the car whizzing by makes up for it. The ride home again provides some ambient sounds although it is more from the train and less from the passengers this time. The sight of Sox Park (or whatever they call it these days) is included to show that I'm on my way home. In conclusion, I started out not knowing quite what to do for my project. When I followed the ideas presented in class, drifting and sounding/rhythms, I was able to stop thinking so hard trying to find inspiration and just let it happen. I must also acknowledge that being accompanied by Shelley made the experience more enjoyable and feel less like less of a homework project. Time's up. Carpe Diem!
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