gigs

Art in the Loop (Wrap-up)

Photo Jul 30, 2 08 28 PM (1)We had a wonderful time last week playing Art in the Loop in Downtown KC. The sun shone, folks wandered into the park, ate lunch, enjoyed the music and contributed to our Hope Index.

Thanks to everyone at Downtown Council, including Ann Holliday, Jessica Borusky and Madison Kludy for their support and collaboration on the project.

Check out some cool videos and pics below!

Art in the Loop is still happening! Check out more upcoming performances and installations at www.artintheloop.com

Cool video from Bochi Truck:

Coverage from 41 Action News:

Art in the Loop (Part 3)

The final stages of the Hope Index are being put in place. We have completed construction, assembled the piece, painted it and added the themes and emotions that make up the extremities of the Hope Index.

Final assembly
Words, emotions, ideas
Spraypaint!

There has already been plenty of discussion about what we have chosen to represent in this little matrix of moods, themes and emotions. These are not the only ideas represented in our music, or perhaps not even the most accurate as to what might be evoked by listening.

However, when you consider how these emotions are similar – or different – and where they overlap, intersect and conflict – well, we believe there’s a lot to think about, and to learn!

As one eleven year old who has been studying the creation of the Hope Index asked:

“What is the difference between Love and Compassion?
Aren’t those the same thing?”

This is the right question to ask. We can’t wait to see how you might answer!

—

Here’s a little hint at how to participate on Thursday:

Step 1: LISTEN to the music.

It carries words, sounds, mood and tone.

Step 2: CONSIDER the ideas that make up the Hope Index.

They represent Fear – Hope – Love – Sadness – Confusion – Compassion. The space between the words is open to your interpretation.

Step 3: MAKE YOUR MARK

Place a marker somewhere on the index, reflecting what you hear and what the music evokes on the Index. There is no right or wrong answer. There may not even be a single answer.

Step 4: REPEAT steps 1 to 3.

We look forward to seeing you in Oppenstein Park this Thursday July 30th, between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Join the Facebook event | Learn more about Art in the Loop

Hope – it’s part of our name
Jason can barely figure out how to represent sadness just in his face
The Hope Index

Art in the Loop (Part 1)

artintheloopWe are excited to share a new project for us this summer! We will be performing as part of Downtown Kansas City’s public art program, Art in the Loop, in Oppenstein Park on 12th & Walnut, KCMO on Thursday July 30th 11am – 1pm.

This is a new idea for us. We enjoy the challenge of thinking about our music in different contexts, and the whole idea behind Art in the Loop’s mission that “infuses the sidewalks of Downtown KC with innovative, engaging, and temporary art” – sounds like a great thing to be a part of!

So, what’s it all about?

Well, here’s what we submitted as part of our project proposal:

Carswell & Hope has devised the Hope Index Chart, that outlines the range of sometimes parallel and sometimes simultaneous emotions, themes and concepts in their music. These range from Hope and Compassion, to Fear and Confusion, to Love and Sadness. As the band performs their original songs, the public is invited to make their mark on the Hope Index Chart that corresponds to their perception of the story, message or emotion being portrayed. The result will be a piece of art, created in collaboration with audience and performer, and a record of the thoughts and feelings shared by both throughout the performance.

Our initial sketch of what this might look like:

This was not, in fact, sketched by a 6 year old. Though we might hire one to do a better job next time!

The Hope Index Chart
Fisher Price Schematics

We will be inviting folks to place markers on the board, representing how they feel a certain song, mood, lyric or tone fits into the chart. It’s more like a matrix – but who cares about the fancy names.

Here’s what we imagine the scene could look like (in an odd stick-man alternate universe):

Hope-Index-sketch2

By the magic of Photoshop, we also mocked up this beauty for the recent presentations as part of the Art in the Loop launch event:

PowerPoint Screengrab1

Stock people participating in the Hope Index concept in obscene Photoshop nightmare reality

As you can see, we’re already having some fun with what this project might look like. We’ll post a couple of updates here and share our progress, but for now – mark your calendars for July 30th, 11.30am – 1.30pm for an exciting new project for us. We hope you’ll come out and participate!

Visit ArtintheLoop.com for more info about the 20 projects happening this year!

Read an article about the project on ThisIsKC.com: http://www.thisiskc.com/2015/06/loop/