I saw square triangle sine
In his latest solo exhibition at the Camden Arts Centre, London, British artist Haroon Mirza continues his exploration of the intersection between noise, sound and music, channelled through technically elaborate but aesthetically modest assemblages of broken, outmoded or modified instruments and objects. Mirza approaches his practice from a unique position—somewhere between a ‘pure’, conventional artist and a musician. Mirza has previously collaborated sonically with art pop quartet Django Django—at the opening of I saw square triangle sine Django Django even played a short set using the instrumental components of the installation. Mirza’s detailed knowledge of early electronic music and equipment is applied appropriately in his ongoing art practice. The chaotic systems and devices he establishes in I saw square triangle sine generate repetitive, loop-based audio that is heard before the physical components are seen. The work functions as an experiential zone of chaotic beats and clicks— the disparate components end up constructing a stuttery, looped pulse that permeates the high ceilinged space.
I saw square triangle sine is presented in the Arts Centre’s main gallery space, overlooking Finchley Road. Assembled in a loose circle, Mirza’s work is constructed from conventional instruments, including cymbals, hi-hats and synthesizers, as well as makeshift instruments that are made using unconventional materials and equipment repurposed by the artist. A Panasonic analogue radio spins on a turntable, creating a buzzing note due to its proximity to an energy saving bulb dangling from above. The bulb’s cord is threaded through a hole pierced in the golden dish of an inverted fifty-one centimetre ride cymbal. Next to the vinyl deck, a Holy Stain electro-harmonix and Alto ZMX-52 mixer rest. A Roland Juno-60 programmable polyphonic synthesizer leans vertically against