ross manning: interlacing

Ross Manning is one of Australia's best-kept secrets. Since 2010, Manning has been behind a series of increasingly profound explorations into light and movement. These installation works seek to reveal spectrum and frequency in patterns that often go unrecognized. With Interlacing, his first LP for Room40, Manning showcases his deeply personal sonic works. Having been an active experimentalist for much of the 2000s across Australia, with projects such as 4 Layers of Nine, Sky Needle, and Faber Castell, Manning has amassed a collection of work that draws on broken electronics, handmade instruments, and custom electronics. "Japan is where I first started getting interested in making electronics," Manning explains of his first experiments conducted while he was living and teaching in Japan. "I would go into Akihabara and all the electronics stalls. Japan is where I saw all this amazing music and art and also got the chance to start building and experimenting." Interlacing summarizes two essential threads of his work, splitting into two broad approaches. The first, captured in pieces like "Expand Scatter," brings together electromagnetic recordings and custom electronics into a cascading flow of uneasy tonality and noise. The second, epitomized by the piece "%," focuses attention on Manning's custom-made, fan-driven instruments. Using all manner of objects, from clock chimes to wooden boards of nails, he creates fluttering patterns of rhythm and melody as a rope driven by the fan connects with the various materials. The results are unpredictable and playful, but unerringly resolved. Interlacing is the perfect introduction to Ross Manning's work in the sonic spectrum. Ross Manning is an interdisciplinary artist working with installation, technology, movement, and sound. He is known for his playful interventions on technology and kinetic environments of light and color. Manning regularly exhibits and performs throughout Australia and internationally; his previous work includes exhibitions at Queensland Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane, the 19th Biennale of Sydney, Interplay at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul, Different Rhythms at Dark MOFO in Tasmania, and Volumes at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts.