Inspired by the idea of a forest bath or nature walk, A. Garden, or “Anthrophony (human made sound) Garden” encourages us to blur the distinctions between human and nature. Featuring Lake Dorn, YATTA and Keith N’Dong, with a live installation by Neda Mouzayanni, the audience is invited to take a moment of reprieve in this auditory garden. Under the prompt of regeneration and rebirth, each artist’s interpretation is enlivened through sonic based interventions.
“In the midst of thinking about our intricate relationships with the more than human world, the constant destruction and devastation amidst this beautiful resilient earth, it’s becoming more difficult to deny the fact that we and all things are inextricably linked. For the past two years, I’ve delved into research surrounding the earth that birthed me, with all paths, all routes to rebuilding bringing me right back to the land and the soil, first worn down by the plantation economy. While reflecting on processes of rematriation and in considering the possibilities of decolonial futures, I reflect on the growing polarities. Driving through Manchester looking out and seeing the mountains in the distance, there in the foreground is toxic molten red pools of bauxite tailings. Being amongst the trees in Jamaica and hearing all the natural world all around, you can immediately turn a corner to hear dancehall blaring from a small shop on the road side—lined with Ting, Rum, Red Stripe, Cheese Trix and assortment of other snacks, drinks, and small household items. There’s a constant reckoning with nature and all the things we’ve cultivated within it, resulting in a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness.” – Tara-Jo Tashna
With the understanding of the natural world being one in which humans are inextricably linked, the audience is invited to splendor, to imagine, to take a moment of reprieve in a space activated by human made sounds. A. Garden encourages each artist to activate the space in a way guided by a regenerative framework unique to their own interpretation, the audience is invited to bask in the auditory garden, leaving or bringing with them into the space what they please.
All three artists push the boundaries of conventionalities: Lake Dorn, a multidisciplinary artist, delves into their work with the ability to successfully cultivate an extremely strong and magnetic vocal and movement performance. This performance is their New York debut ahead of their impending second record which touches on themes of the hunt, resilience, and alignment. YATTA’s well received album PALM WINE, is a unique culmination of folk and pop assemblages. An artist and poet whose work has resulted in beautiful textural tapestries, they challenge typical notions of carefree whimsy with their genre bending sound. Keith N’Dong, a passionate multi-instrumentalist and dancer, burns the candle at both ends. Spanning multi-genres, their dedication to their craft results in both moody and energetic sonic iterations. Each maintains their own unique and distinct artistry threaded to culminate in a unique anthrophonic experience.
