The mill

a sound installation by James Allen and Corbin Shaw

“The Mill is an audio-sculptural installation of a traditional British pub, in which the voices of a middle-aged couple reflect on how they met. The two stories are subtly different in how they recount the events as they unfolded, even down to a debate over the year in which these events occurred (1980 or 1981), as a result of conflicting levels of intoxication and what they were conscious of within the space. The speakers talk about what they were wearing, drinking, the various conversation topics and the music that was playing that night. The piece examines the pub space as a theatrical stage, in which players perform their gender to peers and potential romantic partners.”

Quote from promotional materials

The piece weaves the original conversations with foley and fragmented musical memories to create a kind of sound retrospective.

SHOWINGS

2021

The installation ran for a week in the Changing Room Gallery, Soho and was part of the ‘Thirst Prize’ show.