Culture

Maria Chavez Conducts Abstract Turntable Workshop at Stuart’s

Posted on: Friday, March 17, 2017

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It was all about basking in the sounds of malfunction yesterday afternoon when avant-garde artist and abstract turntablist Maria Chavez led a small group in an intimate abstract turntable workshop at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville.

Throughout her presentation, Chavez demonstrated various sound art techniques that utilize a turntable and record albums, ultimately utilizing the physicality of the turntable medium to craft brand new sounds. She would introduce a technique, demonstrate it on one of her two turntables, and then invite participants to give it a whirl.

“This group is almost as shy as the class I had in Russia!” joked Chavez halfway through the presentation, working diligently with the curious yet quiet group congregated at Stuart’s for the event.

Chavez’s workshop is just one portion of her visit to the Ohio University campus. Today, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Chavez will lecture alongside anthropologist Shane Greene in Seigfred Hall 401. Tonight, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Chavez will also perform at ARTS/West.

Her visit to Athens is presented by Ohio University’s Latin American Studies, with support from the College of Fine Arts.

Take a look at these photos by WOUB’s Marie Swartz, taken yesterday afternoon during the workshop.