2004
First publiched in: Liner notes for the CD Max Neuhaus, The New York School (nine realizations of Cage, Feldman, Brown), Alga Marghen (plana-N 22NMN.053), released in 2004.
Background is a text written by Max Neuhaus in 2004 in which the artist traces the origins of his career, describing how the sonic environment of his childhood in Texas and his subsequent musical training as a percussionist led him to explore sound in unconventional ways. The text provides an autobiographical and conceptual context for understanding his transition from traditional music to sound art.
Details and Themes of Background
Autobiographical Context: Neuhaus describes his childhood in Beaumont, Texas, and how his mother chose to give birth in the nearby town of "Pretty Mountain" to escape the polluted and noisy environment of the Port Arthur refineries. This early experience shaped his perception of sound and the environment.
Transition to Sound Art: Neuhaus also recounts his musical training as a percussionist and how, after collaborating with avant-garde composers such as John Cage and Karlheinz Stockhausen, he began to conceive of sound as a sculptural material for use in public space.
"Sound into space": The text explains how Neuhaus moved from performing music in a traditional context to creating sound installations that alter the perception of a place. This approach is central to all his work, including famous installations such as Times Square.
Discretion and anonymity: In the text, Neuhaus also describes his preference for discreet and unmarked installations, allowing passersby the freedom to discover sound randomly, as in the case of Times Square, which was reactivated in 2002.
In summary, Background offers a valuable perspective on Max Neuhaus's artistic and conceptual journey, connecting his personal and musical experiences to his later exploration of sound art in public spaces.