In Correspondence

by Ruth Barker, 13 Dec 2010

Hello,

corresponding with a friend recently, they confided their views on the Turner Prize news. I thought it was hilarious, and asked if I could let you read it. Happily they said yes. Please be as generous, and take this in the spirit in which it is intended.

Thankfully as a mature artist with a certain amount of Turner Prizes under my belt I was unphased by outcome, phew! I’m extremely happy to see the single female voice used as a counterpoint within the fabric of the city. However unlike other sound artists such as Hildegard Westerkamp, Tori WrÃ¥nes, Kaffe Matthews or Michaela Melián, poor old Susan only has one trick which she’s flogged to near death a long time ago. On this occassion its important for me to say what’s what.
I’m hoping next year that when they announce the winner of the Turner Prize they will just be honest and say. “And the winner goes to……….. The Turner Prize”.
Finally the internal loop will be complete, a black hole will open up and the phase inversed. Unlikely, granted, but much needed.

[later, my email correspondent elaborated]

What has been one of the most interesting aspects of whole TP coverage is reading the journalists’ fantastically inarticulate descriptions of her art and sound art in general. I guess they just don’t get training in sound art in art history class these days. One day in Istanbul listening to the call to prayer from the millions of minaret’s would bring them up to speed pronto.

More later,
R.