The Shape of Your Sounds: 12-1–17 (Inverted)

Flashe on high-density urethane foam
2017
16 x 18 x 1.5

"Using audio surveillance technologies provided by a commercial baby monitor, I capture my baby’s cries and translate that data into visual shapes. The sound waves loop back on themselves in a 360-degree rotation. The result is vaguely reminiscent of the shape of a flower; each burst of sound looks like a petal. The shapes are then stacked vertically to create three-dimensional forms. The forms are carved out of High-Density Urethane using a Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) router. They are painted a high gloss, dark, gun-metal gray. The color is chosen to stand in stark opposition to the white gallery walls, to scream for your attention, the way a baby demands to be heard.

The initial purpose for this project was to try to find visual patterns that could be more easily interpreted. However, I quickly realized this was a fool’s game; the visual patterns are as indiscernible as his sounds. Therefore, what remains is a visual record of a moment in time; a beautiful reminder of those sleepless nights when the world was comprised of just my son and myself" (From the artist's website).

Tracy Marie Taylor is a Chicago-based multi-media artist and educator. Taylor’s studio practice thematically and practically explores the relationship between nature and technology. Through her art, she surveys the assisted reproductive and breastfeeding technologies that were her companions during struggles to become a mother and in her efforts to sustain new life. She embraces traditional tools such as painting, drawing and sculpture, as well as digital tools such as video, animation and creative coding. Taylor’s artwork has been exhibited in Chicago galleries including Roman Susan Gallery, Hyde Park Art Center, and at institutions across the United States. Taylor holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and BFA from the University of New Mexico and is an Associate Professor at Lake Forest College.