This video depicts the first version of a pneumatic drum kit that I designed and fabricated for use within my “Bull and Wounded Horse” performance piece. As with most of my work, I also see these drums as sculptural objects. So while the drums find a use on stage, they are also intended to create music for the rest of the objects within the gallery setting. In the performance piece there are actually three drum kits, a robotic drum kit stage left and stage right, and a human drummer in the middle. In composing the music for Bull and Wounded Horse, I established a few moments within the performance where the robotic drum kit would establish a two measure beat then drop it. The human drummer, would then seamlessly pick up the same beat for two measures and drop it. The robotic drum kit would then pickup the beat for two measures. This robot / human / robot rhythmic sequence would establish a looping bed over which the rest of the band would vamp.
Selected Recent Performance Related Posts
Original Footage from Catfish Posted
“Catfish” a film by Elliott Earls. Was released on DVD by Emigre inc. in 2001. This film is equal parts B- Movie and performance documentary. The piece chronicles the performance work of Elliott Earls as it moves from the lab to the stage. “Catfish, a Film by Elliott Earls.” Originally Released by Emigre inc. in 2001 […]
Elegy for the Collapse of the Empire at the Triennale Design Museum in Milan
In early June 2011, I was asked to participate in an exhibition entitled Graphic Design Worlds at the Triennale Design Museum in Milan. On January 19th, 2011 I traveled with Cranbrook graduate students Nicole Killian and Wesley Taylor to Milan for the installation and the subsequent opening. In December 2008, I produced a piece entitled “Thoughts on Democracy” for the […]
Elliott Earls Robotic Drums From the Bull and Wounded Horse Performance
This video depicts the first version of a pneumatic drum kit that I designed and fabricated for use within my “Bull and Wounded Horse” performance piece. As with most of my work, I also see these drums as sculptural objects. So while the drums find a use on stage, they are also intended to create music […]