Up Close: Justin Allen, Yulan Grant, and S*an D. Henry-Smith

In the live, improvised performance “Call,” artists Justin Allen, Yulan Grant, and S*an D. Henry-Smith manipulate the constraints of a Zoom video conference call to create a shared sonic, musical, and visual experience. As each artist calls in from a different location, the trio layers sounds and builds rhythms using instruments, electronic production technology, nearby household items, and their own voices. The lo-fi set-up of the performance, with materials assembled from what the artists had on hand while working at home, turns the challenges of digital communication into an opportunity for collaboration and sonic experimentation. While at this moment the whims of our Wi-Fi connections determine whether or not we can share time without interruption, “Call” pushes the boundaries of real-time performance, video lag time, and digital connection. “Up Close” is a digital series that invites artists and creative thinkers to contribute new artworks and discussions exploring what it means to think about the world and make art right now.