Barcelona Sketches

2025

fixed medium - ambisonic

5 ’06”

More information on electrocd and electroprésence

[outside 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 sound of movement across a space, as well as the percussive sounds of the skateboards undertaking various moves.

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 hand rails and steps, leading up to the entrance. Their overall performance was rather sketchy.

Barcelona Sketches forms part of a larger projected album release with Jonty Harrison, consisting of short forms (4 – 6’) made from single field recordings.