“This collection of stringed instruments offers us a chance to imagine a harmonious ensemble of east and west that never could be — but should have been.”
Streetside Artscape:
Becky Frehse / 9th Street Reconciliation Orchestra and Fiddle Woods
9th & Commerce Street
July 2020 through January, 2021
“This little string orchestra was inspired by several coincidences that occurred around the time when I was given the opportunity to create an art installation for this window space. As this is part of the beautiful Pantages Theater building, referencing a musical or theatrical performance seemed appropriate.”
“A string orchestra more, or less, fell into my lap when I rescued a load of broken instruments that were being sent to the landfill. I knew that Symphony Tacoma was planning to perform scenes from a new opera called The Tacoma Method that is based on the expulsion of the Chinese community from Tacoma in 1885.”
“I happen to be married to the opera’s composer, Gregory Youtz, and friends with the librettist, Chinese poet Zhang Er. Greg offered me three Chinese instruments called Huqin, also, alas destined for the landfill. This collection of stringed instruments offers us a chance to imagine a harmonious ensemble of east and west that never could be — but should have been.”
“Display window installations have become an engaging way for me to develop mixed-media assemblages for the “passers-by” audience. I’m interested in the evocative possibilities that may be inherent in the shapes of musical instruments and what happens when the shapes are altered and juxtaposed with other forms in a defined space. Larger shapes with intense color get the first attention, but all sorts of smaller bits and details in the work can draw a viewer in to discover more unusual materials or configurations. I think of my “music box” installations as little concerts and as well as visual entertainment.”
– Becky Frehse
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