Tim Craven
Curator at Southampton City Art Gallery
Song Archive: Listen to England
Video projections
A German artist living in England, Yvonne Buchheim investigates manifestations of national identity. This deep interest resulted from a specific life experience. She grew up in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and as part of her education, learnt songs that praised a socialist future and the Russian brother nation. Years later, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Buchheim was asked to sing a German song in a singing session in an Irish village pub. On the spot, all she could remember were those socialist marching tunes from her youth. Feeling at odds with the inappropriate political connotations of such anachronisms, she sang a Russian folk song and thoroughly confused the Irish audience.
In response to this event, Buchheim originated a project in 2003 entitled the "Song Archive". Its purpose was to explore the relationship between song and identity and to question cultural stereotypes. To date, Buchheim has recorded over 500 amateur singers for the project in six countries: UK, Germany, France, Ireland, USA and Iran. Initially the artist decided to present the performers in front of a white, neutral background in order to remove cultural emphasis. This strategy became more significant as more and different cultures were encountered. The format emphasises the amateur singers' vulnerability and engages the viewer's preconceptions.
Over the last four years Buchheim has developed the "Song Archive" project through international residencies and exhibitions. The North+ South commission presented the artist with an opportunity to examine further the complex construction of multi-layered identities in England.
Buchheim's chosen premise was a 10 day journey, using public transport, from Southampton to Sunderland via an irregular and unplanned route. This 'song line' included cities, towns and villages where the artist invited locals to contribute a song of their choice from memory. Shops and supermarkets provided a consistent stage for meeting people of different ages and social backgrounds. To persuade people to sing a song of their choice spontaneously and from memory, in front of a video camera is an important and challenging part of the project. From experience Buchheim knows that the number of people she approaches who will agree to perform, varies considerably according to geographical location. Often the ratio can be quite low, perhaps 15 failed attempts for every success.
During her journey, Buchheim invited both shopkeepers and consumers to participate. The singer's background, beliefs, allegiances and passions may be considered in the choice of song, accent, physical appearance and performance style. The songs were recorded inside the shops and are projected in tandem with film of the shop exteriors, thereby contextualizing human idiosyncrasy with knowing yet subtle suggestions of place.
"Listen to England" presents a compelling insight into the complexities of the cultural make-up of contemporary England and its social history . Sadly, singing, perhaps an essential element of identity, is no longer part of English education's National Curriculum.
(2007)
Curator at Southampton City Art Gallery
Song Archive: Listen to England
Video projections
A German artist living in England, Yvonne Buchheim investigates manifestations of national identity. This deep interest resulted from a specific life experience. She grew up in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and as part of her education, learnt songs that praised a socialist future and the Russian brother nation. Years later, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Buchheim was asked to sing a German song in a singing session in an Irish village pub. On the spot, all she could remember were those socialist marching tunes from her youth. Feeling at odds with the inappropriate political connotations of such anachronisms, she sang a Russian folk song and thoroughly confused the Irish audience.
In response to this event, Buchheim originated a project in 2003 entitled the "Song Archive". Its purpose was to explore the relationship between song and identity and to question cultural stereotypes. To date, Buchheim has recorded over 500 amateur singers for the project in six countries: UK, Germany, France, Ireland, USA and Iran. Initially the artist decided to present the performers in front of a white, neutral background in order to remove cultural emphasis. This strategy became more significant as more and different cultures were encountered. The format emphasises the amateur singers' vulnerability and engages the viewer's preconceptions.
Over the last four years Buchheim has developed the "Song Archive" project through international residencies and exhibitions. The North+ South commission presented the artist with an opportunity to examine further the complex construction of multi-layered identities in England.
Buchheim's chosen premise was a 10 day journey, using public transport, from Southampton to Sunderland via an irregular and unplanned route. This 'song line' included cities, towns and villages where the artist invited locals to contribute a song of their choice from memory. Shops and supermarkets provided a consistent stage for meeting people of different ages and social backgrounds. To persuade people to sing a song of their choice spontaneously and from memory, in front of a video camera is an important and challenging part of the project. From experience Buchheim knows that the number of people she approaches who will agree to perform, varies considerably according to geographical location. Often the ratio can be quite low, perhaps 15 failed attempts for every success.
During her journey, Buchheim invited both shopkeepers and consumers to participate. The singer's background, beliefs, allegiances and passions may be considered in the choice of song, accent, physical appearance and performance style. The songs were recorded inside the shops and are projected in tandem with film of the shop exteriors, thereby contextualizing human idiosyncrasy with knowing yet subtle suggestions of place.
"Listen to England" presents a compelling insight into the complexities of the cultural make-up of contemporary England and its social history . Sadly, singing, perhaps an essential element of identity, is no longer part of English education's National Curriculum.
(2007)
