Sonic vibrations guided many of Roden’s works; the artist was interested in interpreting vibrational effects across media to create pieces that seemingly exist in a liminal state between movement and rest. ear(th) typifies this approach, using seismic data as a score that prompts electronic arms to strike single xylophone bars that sit aloft on an enormous custom-made hollow wood structure. Each chime heard is its own tiny vibrational event resonating on the surface of the world Roden invites viewers to step inside. Originally curated by Stephen Nowlin at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California, ear(th) was developed in collaboration with scientists AnnMarie Thomas and Mark Simons.
Steve Roden
Los Angeles–based artist Steve Roden’s works consider the relationship between sound and space to create a sense of wonder, translating vast and complex understandings of the world into quietly evocative objects, texts, sounds, and paintings. Known for using the term “lowercase” to describe his interest in celebrating the power of the hushed, the overlooked, and the incidental, Roden created a vast oeuvre that speaks to his curiosity and fascination with the world around him.
