Cor + Som, Evoramonte Castle, Portugal, 2016

Scott Sherk and Pat Badt fill the castle keep of the Castle of Evoramonte with sound and light.

Cor + Som

 Evoramonte Castle, Evoramonte, Portugal

August 12 - September 11  

hours 10-1:00 and 2-6:00 daily

Opening on August 12  6:00PM - 8:00PM

window showing color treatment

large room with listener

small red room with listeners

Color + Sound

Color + Sound occupies two rooms on the 1^st floor of Evoramonte Castle.  The main chamber of the 1^st floor presents sound compositions created from the field recordings of the Alentejo in quadrophonic surround sound, and a composition of light and color filtering through the windows of the castle.  The sound works use source material from grazing sheep, summer crickets, quiet hidden meadows, and the resonant sounds recorded in the Castle of Evoramonte, itself.  The recorded sounds are sculpted and modeled in three-dimensional ways to create an environment of sound in space.  Scott Sherk believes that sound is an important determinant in our perception of space and envisions these sound works to be aural sculptures—sounds creating spaces.  In creating these sound sculptures he often carves from the sound the natural harmonics of a place. 

Pat Badt extracted color from her daily notations from last summer in Alentejo to concentrate on the contrasting colors of the big sky and the rich earth.  Together they noticed that the castle sits atop a rock embankment, and it is the closest thing to the sky.  Focusing on this aspect of the castle, rather than its military history, Badt wanted to bring the sky and the celestial into the large chamber.  Bringing a subtle clarity to the atmosphere of the room, the color participates in tandem with the sound.  The cool blues merge with the surround sound to create an experience of otherworldliness and transcendence.

In the small antechamber, the brilliant heat of the Alentejo sun is emphasized along with the original, unaltered field recordings of the surrounding area.  The field recordings take us from the Estremoz market place through the sun-baked meadows and cork orchards, and into the dark and vibrant Alentejo night.  We hear a knife grinder, a poultry market, insects, the morning chorus of birds, and the omnipresent wind that unites and blows through everything.  The red glow of the room reinforces the grounded aspect of these field rcordings and operates in stark contrast with the purity of the large outer room.

Throughout the installation, Badt acknowledges the panoramic views from the castle keep. Visitors view the surrounding landscape through a horizon-zone created by the framed views of the untreated windows.

Color + Sound is an art installation that highlights the experience of the art viewer by creating an environment rather than creating an art object.  When one enters the space it appears empty, but it is not.  The space is filled with vibrations of sound and color creating a world to explore and experience for those who give it the time.