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Architecture
of the Air: The Sound and Light Environments of Christopher
Janney, by Beth Dunlop.
Christopher
Janney is a man of many titles: architect, artist, musician.
His creations seem to fuse these three realms into environments
that reward playful participation, or, as the book says,
"turns spectators into participants." This may
occur via panels on a parking garage that light up part
of the facade when pushed, via sounds triggered by waving
a hand in front of a sensor on a subway platform, or by
running around a grouping of columns to release steam. These
and other public projects make up the first part of this
monograph-cum-(auto)biography on Janney. The remainder of
the book presents performance projects, architectural projects,
and sonic reflections. This last part gives the greatest
glimpse into Janney's thinking, inspirations, and experiences
that have led to his creations.
Through these sonic reflections, text and images carry
equal weight, giving the reader an alternative view on things
as diverse as psychoanalysis, drumming, improvisation, sound
as a color, and teaching. Certain threads appear: eastern
philosophy, jazz music, nature's cycles, technology. Ultimately
Janney's creations seem to be about immersing ourselves
in our environments with all our senses, especially hearing.
He pushes that immersion upon us by creating places that
require interaction. (He even rewards persistence with special
games, one between the covers of this book.)
Unfortunately, a book can only convey so much about works
not only geared to hearing but presence and movement in
space. What we're left with are words and images, the former
giving us glimpses into Janney's mind and past, the latter
showing that his formal talents aren't as strong as his
intellectual and conceptual talents. Naturally after reading
this book one wants to experience his projects in person,
run around the Sonic Forest, try to solve the riddle
that lights up the whole parking garage facade, ride the
moving walkway at Miami International Airport and see what
sounds accompany the rainbow of colors. Well, at least the
reader is left with a riddle to a place on "the web
where there is more."
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