a project to build 12 localized versions of the original Sonic Bed around the world.
Sonic Bed is an instrument and portable venue for which Kaffe Matthews will make site specific works in the first instance, and then run workshops/facilitate others to make pieces for it, using a user friendly software based instrument she is currently developing with David Muth in this research project Music for Bodies.
The intention is to make a worldwide series of localized beds, 12 in all, with each one being made in the same form as the original bed, Sonic Bed_London, but built by craftspeople from and with materials of that country. Once installed, a local “Bed team” will be sought and taught to use its music making software and so facilitate commissioned composers or workshop participants of any age or ability to make new music for it, adding to the growing on-line library of Bed music.
The story of the making of each Bed in each country will also be documented through photo and DV, recording interviews with the various people involved at each step of the way. It is intended too that a book be written containing each of these stories with beautiful images of each one with a text written by a curator or art critic/historian.
It is also intended that each Bed is not hidden away in a gallery, but is installed in a place that all people can have easy access to, while a library of works made for it grows and is available to other Bed users online. Again, this should be locally researched and applied by the Bed team in each country.
In about 10 years time, all the Beds will be brought back to UK for a Sonic Bed exhibition.
