Image of the drug lab from 'Scenario in the Shade.' Courtesy of Red Bull Studios and Freeman/Lowe/Herrema
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Other images from the installation. Courtesy of Red Bull Studios
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Not that overwhelming environments are the only thing on display—the artists also installed speakers in the various rooms which emit a "sprawling sonic collage," including contributions from Kurt Vile, OFF!, Devendra Banhart, Hot Chip, and Bad Brains, together forming seven hours of music that will be released as a record on Drag City. The trio describes just the sound aspect as "its own sort of living organism," suggesting that Scenario, amalgamated, is akin to a living mammal—but probably closer to a fantastical beast sporting ten heads and iridescent teeth."I feel like this is first opportunity where we were allowed to do it all," Herrema told me."It's close to the idea of a complete artwork," Lowe added. "We had a chance to make that. There were so many toys to play with here: studios, a video-viewing room, and this weirdo architecture to respond to. You can really make a complete picture."As I tried to process it all, the three artists explained what inspired the installation itself, prior to even broaching the mad-genius backstory of San San International and the gangs that occupy it."It's about a sort of multi-universe and us trying to transcribe from within that matrix," Lowe explained. "You know that feeling when you walk down Canal Street, right? It's about the polyphonic head-fuck that is Canal Street, but a globalized model. We are kind of automating this little bit more to reflect the actual reality of the urban experience."On Motherboard: The Inevitabilities of Killer Robots
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Herrema performing during a press preview. Photo by the author
Gallery visitors exploring the installation. Photo by the author
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