Mark Southerland
2139 Summit 1st Floor
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 474-5477
markmalachy@hotmail.com
hornsculpture.com
Artist Biograghy
I am a jazz musician who makes horn sculptures. I have used the saxophone as a medium for exploring sound for over 26 years. My music runs the gamut of pop culture to Rahsaan Roland Kirk tributaries. I add visual layers to expand upon my performances: costumes, LED lights, wearable sculptures, props and backdrops.
My bastardized horns and costumes have been displayed as free standing sculptures at Urban Culture Projects and the Dolphin Gallery in Kansas City, the OSP in Boston, the Stray Show in Chicago. I recently produced two performances and had my horns displayed at Bridge Art Fair during Art Basel Miami. I have played experimental music locally, nationally, and throughout France and Germany with Malachy Papers. Snuff Jazz and Wee Snuff involve a constantly changing musical cast. I collaborate with visual artists (David Ford, Naoko Wowsugi, Peregrine Honig) and musicians (Eugene Chadbourne, Mike Dillon, Earl Harvin, Jimmy Carl Black) to produce events that push convention and familiarity.
Artist Statement
Music is about innovation and memory. Improvisation conveys things written music cannot. In traditional music, the repetition of a melody or rhythm becomes first familiar, and then memorable. In my performances, the visuals signal memories for my music. Improvising with costumes and wearable horn sculptures, not only changes the audiences perception but also the perception of the performer. Your eyes become your ears; originality becomes familiar. If music is a universal language, I am providing cue cards.
My performers often play a major role in documenting events. This makes the audience a pointedly passive part of the show. Integrated art elements and distorted roles give my musical performances an expanded sense of place. I use maximalism to elevate my improvisation.
Resume
Integrated Performances/ Live Horn Sculptures
2008 Wee Snuff/Urban Noise Camp, Lyric Opera Rehearsal Space, KC MO
2008 Preying Horns at Sunrise, Fahrenheit Gallery, Kansas City MO
2007 My Indian Beat Box, Bridge Art Fair, Art Basel Miami, Fl
2007 A Revisionist Jazz History w/Liberation Big Band, La Esquina, KC MO
2007 Wee Snuff at David Ford's Maximon Performance, Jack the Pelican, BK NY
2007 Wee Snuff Jazz at Whoop de Doo, Urban Arts and Culture KC MO
2006 Malachy Papers at Telluride Jazz Festival, CO
2006 Simple Myth, Quixotic Dance Piece, Kansas City MO
2006 Musique Action, Nancy, France
2004 Evening Gowns and Trio, Dolphin Gallery, Kansas City MO
2003 Take A Seat, The Knitting Factory, NY NY
Group Shows
2008 "Noise", SiteLA, Los Angeles, CA
2008 Flat Files, H&R Block Art Space, Kansas City, MO
2007 Satellite Exhibitions, Bridge Art Fair, Art Basel, Miami FL
2005 "Conditions of Sound", The Boley Space, Urban Culture Projects, KC, MO
2004 Dolphin Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2004 "The Gun and Knife Show", Fahrenheit Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2004 "The Weight of Feathers", OSP Gallery, Boston, MA
2004 The Stray Show Art Fair, Chicago IL
2003 The Bank curated by Tom Gregg, Urban Culture Projects, Kansas City, MO
2003 The Stray Show Art Fair, Chicago IL
Ongoing Musical Projects 2003-present
Snuff Jazz/ Wee Snuff Malachy Papers
Al-Andaluz T.J. Dovebelly Ensemble
Cited Awards
2008 Kansas Citian Award Fabrication, Chamber of Commerce, KC MO
2008 Charlotte Street Generative Performing Artist Award, KC MO
2008 Creative Capital Artist Workshop, KC MO
2006 Tanne Award Boston Massachusetts
2005 Malachy Papers “Best Jazz Group” The Pitch Weekly, KC MO
Biography
2008 "Mark Southerland"s Horn Sculpture" Pete Dulin Present Magazine.com July
2007 "Adding Depth to Improvisation" Roger Atkinson Jam Magazine October
2007 "All That Snuff" Sarah Smarsh lawrence.com September
2006 “Mark Southerland Tanne Award” Mike Miller Review Magazine October
Education
UMKC Conservatory 1988-1992
