2B OR NOT 2B [TO BE OR NOT TO BE] NEO:PRINT PRIZE 2016 (International Print Biennial) Exhibition Installation

A multi-component 3D print & sound installation reflecting on the acoustics of built spaces. This work is a tribute to the 400th Death Anniversary of the Bard. It features sound waves of the lines: TO BE OR NOT TO BE interpreted in various formats: either spoken, written, typed or danced. Electro-conductive inks are programmed to produce sound when the brass sensors are touched. Sounds may be listened to, using mini speakers or headphones (public sharing or a private listening). The prints were inspired by sound waves generated by the sound of 2B and non 2B [1H-4H, 1B, 3B-6B] graphite pencil leads writing the phrase: TO BE OR NOT TO BE on different substrates. These sound waves were re-drawn, using various metalpoint styli: gold, silver, brass, copper, tin, aluminium, zinc, platinum. while. Other audio recordings of artists & gallery staff generated sonic wave patterns that upon touch, emitted different interpretations of TO BE OR NOT TO BE from famous TV sketch comedies & film; poets & a Congolese interpretor. Pre-etched zinc plates of architectural features, were stripped and recycled to make the wave patterns. The plates were deeply bitten/open-bite acid etched, aquatinted to achieve embossing. These were inked using a viscosity method: both intaglio and relief roll inking methods, which were then curved to simulate wave patterns and placed upon a rolled gradient of colour. Electroconductive ink channels run on the paper, and connect to a control pad programmed with 12 tracks of 2B OR NOT 2B interpretations. 2B OR NOT 2B - 12 TRACKS A contemplation of the acoustics of built space & printed sound. Electroconductive Inks programmed to 12 soundtracks. Relevant video/audio clips sourced from the internet, were played on my laptop within my home with the windows open to capture the ambient noise and recorded on my mobile phone. 1. Thespian Actors: Paapa Issedieu, Tim Minchin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Harriet Walters, David Tennant, Rory Kinnear, Sir Ian McKellen & Dame Judi Dench discussing how the lines: TO BE OR NOT TO BE…. Is best spoken, with a final contribution from Prince Charles. [400th death anniversary celebration of William Shakespeare at Stratford upon Avon]. 2. Kenneth Branagh: TO BE OR NOT TO BE (excerpt from Hamlet) 3. Blackadder Sketch (Rowan Atkinson et al.) of TO BE OR NOT TO BE 4. Sonnet Poet saying TO BE OR NOT TO BE, accompanied with backing music. 5. Morse Code: TO BE OR NOT TO BE 6. Colin Firth (King George VI) in the ‘King’s Speech’ being tutored by Geoffrey Rush (Lionel Logue, the vocal coach, who helped him overcome his stammer) 7. Michael Horowitz (Beat Poet/Jazz Musician): TO BE OR NOT TO BE 8. Victor Anas (a fixer/interpretor), from the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying these lines in various languages. 9. Sound of 2B and NON 2B pencils writing the lines TO BE OR NOT TO BE. 10. Sound of Metalpoint Styli (gold, silver, brass, copper, tin, aluminium, zinc, platinum, drawing the sonic waves produced by the pencil drawings. 11. Typewriter Clicks of keys of a poet (Gareth Brookes), who charged £1 for typing a poem in a few minutes after the title was given, within the Turbine Hall at TATE MODERN during OFFPRINT. 12. Monty Python sketch of TO BE OR NOT BE. © Sumi Perera SuperPress EDITIONS

Installation:Paper on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:16.5 W x 63 H x 1.6 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.