CLINTON WATKINS

Starkwhite is pleased to present Frequency Colour by Clinton Watkins from 25 July to 16 August 2013.

Frequency Colour (2013) is a multi-channel video and sound installation consisting of a twenty-minute piece generated using custom-made analog video manipulation hardware. The unique device developed in 2008 called the AV5-Error enables sound to be forced into an active video signal - sound then becomes visualized through this process. The structure of Frequency Colour consists of several short compositions recorded in a live studio context. Each composition consists of arrangements of a various pure tone frequencies, metronomic pulse wave clicks, white noise and feedback being forced into monochromes of broadcast colour tones.

Clinton Watkins produces artwork that investigates affects that combinations of sonic and visual information can have on an audience. The key conceptual issues of his work are drawn from an interest in constructing immersive experiences through the use of sound, colour and scale of installation incorporating video projection, television monitors and custom-made audio and video hardware. The visual and sound base of his work focuses on the characteristics, structures, phenomena, and processing of sonic and visual material through the exploration of repetition, distortion, duration and form via a minimalist sensibility.

Watkins is also a practicing experimental musician who regularly produces and performs as a solo artist and collaboratively as an active member of the minimal electronic improvisation sextet, Plains, one half of the electronic noise duo 1000 and most recently working with artist Santiago Sierra.Watkins has numerous releases of recorded material published on a variety of local and international record labels such as Circle, 20 City, Claudia, Mystery Sea, CMR, Absurd and Scarcelight. Watkins has a Doctoral Degree in Fine Arts, lecturers at AUT in the Co_lab department teaching time-based media.

Recent exhibitions include Delta, Air New Zealand In-Flight Entertainment System (2012-13); Transcode, Wellington City Art Gallery/Engine Room, Massey University (2012); Selection, Starkwhite (2012); Test Tone Aotea Centre, NZ (2011); Force Fields Two Rooms, NZ (2010); Line & Tone Hirschfeld, Berlin (2009); Avalanche NZ Film Archive (2009); and Cont Ship #1- #3/New New Wave #1-#2 Square 2, Wellington City Art Gallery (2008). His work has also been featured in curated group exhibitions throughout New Zealand, Australia and Europe including: Wall of Sound Te Tuhi (2010); Under Lopdell House (2010); Super Deluxe Artspace Sydney (2010); Black Out I.C.A.N. Sydney (2010); 7:5 Two Rooms, NZ (2009); Past-Present-Place Heidelberger Kunstverein, DE (2008); Martini Shot Artspace (2007); and 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Auckland City Art Gallery (2006).