Proto Elips

Culture Action Llandudno | 2016

Commissioned by CALL Llandudno and curated by Marc Rees, (proto) elips was one of three residencies under an Arts Council of Wales ‘Lost Space’ scheme. The brief was for a ‘visioning’ exercise to explore how a listed building such as The Tabernacl could be re-imagined for a new cultural use.

(proto) elips made sounds and at times, music. It was played by people of all ages over the course of a month that included the Llawn 04 festival. During this time musicians were invited to experiment as a part of a soundLAB exploring the instrument/ installation’s potential.

It was shown on ITV Wales and on Y Lle and was kept open for an additional week at the request of local music teachers who relocated their lessons to the Tabernacl to explore the installation. Here is a short film about the project.

The prototyping was useful research into how this idea could be expanded into a touring event or permanent sculpture.

‘I’ve gone way beyond whale sounds…I’ve been playing with my fingernails!’
- Peter, newly discovered musician, Chester