Barcelona Sketches

2025

fixed medium - ambisonic

5 ’10”

More information on electrocd and electroprésence

[exterior of MACBA, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain - 23 January 2006]

I’ve always been drawn to the sound of skateboards, particularly in areas where the sound reflects off nearby buildings. In this piece I wanted to use the sounds moving across a space, as well as their percussive characteristics when various moves are undertaken.

In the skateboarding community the word sketch or sketchy refers to a move that hasn’t worked or has failed in some way. I’d spent a good hour watching and listening to this group of skateboarders using the large open space outside the museum, as well as the handrails and steps, leading up to the entrance. Their overall performance was rather sketchy.

The piece forms part of the Aides… mémoires… project with Jonty Harrison, consisting of short form pieces (3-6’) made from single field recordings. To visit the project, please go to https://bit.ly/aidesmemoires where hi-resolution concert performance versions of the piece can be downloaded.