Spring 2017
Turn Table Drawings
By Jon Fischer and DANNY CLAY
“Observations indicate that things are always made of smaller things, leading to the unanswerable question: what is the smallest thing? A loop-like model of the universe may avoid this problem."
-S.J. Manetta 1905
Records
  • Oroville record| Hand molded LP of nine tracks cosine tones (2:00 each) | Urethane resin, aluminum, dye | 12" diameter | 2017
  • Sine wave record (close up).| Custom record consisting of 9 tracks of pure tones (2:00 each) | 12" diameter | 2016
  • Hand molded copy of The Jewel of the Nile. (Billy Ocean: 1985) | Cast Urethane Resin | 12 in record | 2016
  • Turntables with custom sine wave records, guitar tuners
  • Score for piano | screen print, pen, dowels, nylod cord | 24 x 60 inches
  • Score for piano (closeup) | Danny Clay and Jon Fischer|screen print, pen, dowels, nylod cord | 24 x 60 inches
  • Guitar score (left) and sine wave record transcription (right) | > Danny Clay and Jon Fischer
  • Guitar score (left) and sine wave record transcription (right) | > Danny Clay and Jon Fischer
  • Turntables with custom sine wave records, guitar tuners, piano, scrolled score | Danny Clay and Jon Fischer
  • Assortment of playable test records. | Danny Clay and Jon Fischer
  • Hand molded copy of The Jewel of the Nile. (Billy Ocean: 1985) | Cast Urethane Resin | 12 in record | 2016
  • Hand molded copy of The Jewel of the Nile. (Billy Ocean: 1985) | Cast Urethane Resin | 12 in record | 2016
Description: A loop-based composition for piano, guitar, custom made sine wave records, & three turntables. Designed to create an environment and be performed for an indefinite duration, it was first performed during my 2016 Open Studios visual art exhibition at The Pacific Felt Factory in San Francisco.
ABOUT THIS PROJECT:  This is the first phase of a project supported by the San Francisco Arts Commission to create three phonograph-like apparatuses that generate sounds from a collection of interchangeable, revolving sculptures based on geological landscapes of California. They will function as both (1) instruments played in a musical performance, and (2) works of public art that invite participation in a lobby, airport, or museum. A collaboration with San Francisco musician Danny Clay, the project will conclude with performances at the Center for New Music during the 2016-17 season. 
Danny Clay is a composer / sound artist / teaching artist / general noise-maker from Ohio, currently based in San Francisco. His work utilizes musical games, open forms, found objects, archival media, toy instruments, classroom collaborations, graphic notation, digital errata, cross-disciplinary research, and the everything-in-between. Recent collaborators include Kronos Quartet, Sarah Cahill, Phyllis Chen, Third Coast Percussion, Friction Quartet.
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Shows
Turntable Drawings

Center For New Music
55 Taylor St
(b/t Golden Gate & Turk)
San Francisco

ONE NIGHT ONLY:
Saturday June 3, 2017 | 5-10 PM
Performances: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Interactive Installation: 5:00 - 7:00 PM | 9:00 - 10:00 PM
Tickets

Printmaker Jon Fischer and composer Danny Clay present an evening of interactive installation and performance pieces centered around original, fabricated records. Installation/reception will begin at 5pm, with performances featuring Mana Trio, Long Tone Choir, and electric guitarist Giacomo Fiore beginning at 7pm.

Live performances include:

Turntable Drawing No. 6 for three turntables, piano and guitar
Turntable Drawing No. 8 [premiere] for eight turntables without records
Turntable Drawing No. 20 for three saxophones and three turntables
Turntable Drawing No. 25 [premiere] for choir, three saxophones, & three turntables

Prior to and following performances, visitors will be invited to play and examine a collection of over 50 handmade records created for this project.

Turntable Drawings is a series examining the intersection of physical imprint, sound, and the geography of California through the medium of records. Works in this series have included elements of printmaking, interactive installation, custom-made turntables and records, film, and live performance.

Visual Works
Music
Turntable Drawing E.P
Danny Clay & Jon Fischer
Loop-based composition for piano, guitar, custom made sine wave records, & three turntable performed by Danny Clay and Jon Fischer. Four tracks recorded at The Pacific Felt Factory in San Francisco.
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