glamTURE
installation, sound-based
glamTURE, a portmanteau created by combining glam metal and torture, is an installation that perpetually auto-reverses specific guitar solo sections from 80s glam rock records on multiple modified turntables concurrently. The repetition of the solos simultaneously amplifies and dilutes the guitar-hero passages and, throughout the course of the exhibition, each record and stylus slowly deteriorates, representing the values and styles of a genre built on juxtapositions. 80s glam rock contradicted itself in its musical style, message and appearance. It promoted cross-dressing and hyper-masculinity simultaneously, the sloppiness of drug and alcohol use was contrasted with the precision of the guitar solos and the care given to make-up and hairstyling. glamTURE examines the pinnacle moment that these bands and their fans anticipated: the guitar solo as the musical and performative climax of each song. The over-indulgent competitive edge that each band claimed as their own unique “genius”.
