Artists

Artist Bio

Frank Pahl received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Wayne State University, Detroit and a master of fine arts degree in art and design with an emphasis in sound art from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has received over 80 commissions to write music for theater, film and dance and has performed throughout North America, Europe and Japan. His music has appeared on over 70 releases. Since 2000, he's actively created kinetic sound installations, which are frequently designed to accompany his music. Pahl has taught sound design at College for Creative Studies, Detroit and sound-related courses at University of Michigan. His current music projects are Scavenger Quartet and Little Bang Theory. www.frankpahl.net

ArtX Project Description

Title: The Rube Goldberg Variations
Medium: Music Performance with Kinetic Sound Installation
Year Created: 2011
Description: "The Rube Goldberg Variations" represents the world between low and hi-tech/low and high culture, that Frank Pahl lives in. There are several computers scattered about, performing rudimentary functions. They are hidden in well-travelled vintage suitcases. The low tech is represented by rotisserie motors, erector set parts and tinker toys. These are not the toys of his youth; they are the toys of his adulthood. There are three vague keys played by the air organs that can be accompanied by the various automatic percussion ensembles. The result tends to sound a bit like Rube Goldberg collaborating with a drunken Brian Eno. Pahl doubts the two would choose to collaborate but the best bedfellows are strange and never look the same in the morning. Pahl would like to save the reader any pronouncements about “his work” because “his work” is play. It’s play in the sense that he enjoys creating it, exhibiting it and performing with it. If you have to think about it, he’s failed...or maybe you’re thinking too hard. Apologies to J.S. Bach and thanks to Frank Pahl’s collaborators.