STATEMENT
Working in analog with the goal of activating psychological responses from the viewer, I create sounds by manipulating voice, vibrations and harmonies through analog synthesizers, custom mechanical instruments, de-tuning string instruments and adding acoustic distortions to percussion. My current interests find me creating looping cassettes by recording on cassette then disassembling the bodies and cutting and splicing tape to various lengths, and building small objects and sculptures from vintage recorders, cassette tapes, wire, metal rods, metal plates, speakers and electric motors. The motors explore mechanical rhythm, shift and blur the location of the sound, and encourage a questioning of the familiarity of the space. I also record with vintage equipment and recondition traditional acoustic and electric musical instruments to create nonconventional sounds. I am interested in the kinetic possibilities and psychological effects of sound, and my work prompts viewers to introspect and discover while encouraging a subjective experience.
Mark Holt, born and raised in Long Beach, California, is a Chicago-based musician and sound artist. His creative work manifests as analog and electronic studio compositions, improvisational instrumental outbursts, performance, interactive sound installations, and sound design and scores for experimental short films. As an improvisational “composer,” Holt creates ephemeral pieces that function as “snap jams.” He is co-director of the alternative project space INTERSECT.
Contact Mark for more info.