Steve Roden // Oionos CD + BOOKLET

This is the latest work released in January 2022 by American acoustic artist Steve Roden.

This work is an installation work created for the exhibition "The Grand Promenade" held in Athens, Greece.The booklet contains essays.The following is a commentary by the writer himself.

The exhibition, held at various archaeological sites and historic sites in central Athens, created a situation where site-specific contemporary works interact with the historic environment.



Initially not presented as a candidate site, I begged the curator at the church of St. Dimitris Lumbaldiadis of architect Dimitris Pikionis, about a 10-minute walk from the main pass of the Grand Promenade. I got permission to make a work.The original promenade designed by Pikionis can still be seen in some areas, but many of the original designs in this area were modified during the pre-Olympic "restoration" of 2004.The path leading to the church further impresses Pikionis' vision for the entire promenade, and I wanted to draw viewers and listeners into his world through my work.



When I first saw this little church, I was completely breathtaking and soon began to think of works that would resonate with this church but not interfere with it.The church itself is still in use, so I wanted to make it a gentle work that wouldn't get in the way of those who worship there.Therefore, I decided to use a large tree in front of the church to create a hanging work that produces a visual presence and a sound that harmonizes with the sound of insects and the tranquility of the area.



The audio was made from field recordings and small "poor" things such as tin whistling and toy harmonica.These "musical instruments" were proposed by the Athens Musical Instrument Museum, and although decent musical instruments occupy most of the museum, there are musical toys, religious things, and other sounds that are not considered musical instruments in the basement. The equipment that comes out is housed in a wonderful display case.I felt that these naive things were related to Pikionis's way of thinking about architecture and crafts, and his interest in the relationship between indigenous culture and intellectual and modern culture.I felt like it had something to do with it.

Labels and other worksplease use this form. ///Click here to see more Room40 releases available at Tobira.

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Monochrome, matte concentrate and embossed jacket with insert card plus perfect bound book including artworks, images, documents and texts from Steve, as well as an essay from his long time collaborator Stephen Vitiello. The edition also features an interview conducted by Robert Crouch.

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Artist statement Steve Roden on Oionos:

"Oionos was created for the exhibition The Grand Promenade, in Athens, Greece.



The exhibition took place in various archaeological and historical sites in central Athens, creating a situation for contemporary site specific works to be in dialogue with their historical surroundings.



While it was not originally offered as a possible site, I pleaded with the curator to allow me to work with architect Dimitris Pikionis's Church of St. Dimitris Loumbardiardis, about a 10-minute walk from the main path of the Grand Promenade. Pikionis designed the original promenade which is still visible in several areas, but much of the area's original designs were altered during the “restoration” before the 2004 Olympics. The small path that leads to the church gives a much stronger impression of Pikionis's vision for the entire promenade as it was; so i wanted to use my work to draw viewers / listeners into his world.



When I first saw the small church it totally took my breath away, and I immediately began to think about a work that could exist in resonance with it — but not distract from it. work to be gentle and out of the way of the people who worship there. I decided to use the large tree in the front of the church for a hanging work that would a little bit of visual presence as well as sound which could blend with all of the insect noises and the overall quiet of the area ..



The audio was built from field recordings and small “poor” objects such as tin whistles, toy harmonicas, and the like. These “instruments” suggested by the museum of musical instruments in Athens, where the proper instruments take up most of the museum, but there is a wonderful display case in the basement with musical toys, religious objects, and other sounding devices not considered musical instruments. I felt that these simple things related to Pikionis's ideas about architecture and craft, and his interests in indigenous culture in conjunction with intellectual and modern culture. I felt there could be a relationship. "

Artist: steve roden

Label: Room40