NO COMMENT is an investigation by Bridget Chappell into the science of phase cancellation—the phenomenon when audio waves work against each other eliminating inverse frequencies—and theories of ungovernable space. Chappell imagines an anti-carceral speculative future of sound technologies and tactical defence to ‘phase cancel the cops’ in material, political and psychic terms.

Through pragmatic studio and social experiments, the project is an attempt to rupture, silence, and then overpower the ‘sound of the police’. Chappell works with and from the social and aesthetic subjectivities of graffiti, rave and sound system culture, noise and experimental music, science fiction and abolitionist politics. The lapsed year between COVID-19 affected exhibition dates have seen the NO COMMENT narrative grow more acute in real-time, including instances of State sonic force in events of the pandemic, and the deployment of LRADs against Bla(c)k Lives Matter protesters in May 2020. As a polemic, NO COMMENT addresses the State deployment of sonic weaponry, silence as political enunciation, and the role of artists in opposition.

Every year since 2014 Blindside has invited Liquid Architecture to organise an exhibition under the banner ‘Sound Series’ by artists working in experimental ways with sound and listening. There have been some incredible shows by Anthony Riddell, Félicia Atkinson, Gerard Crewdson, and Matt Earle among others. 

NO COMMENT (Together)

Throughout the exhibition period, a parallel working group, NO COMMENT (Together) will traverse the practices and theories of the project. Meeting twice in 2020, we will now reconverge and invite new and returning participants to join us in developing playful tactics, technologies, and dialogue on the evasion of State control. If you are interested in joining please email info@liquidarchitecture.org.au introducing yourself and your interest in the working group.

NO COMMENT (Alley Cat)
Thursday 18 Mar 2021, 6–8pm

NO COMMENT (Alley Cat) disrupts the traditional opening event format in favour of a socially distanced psycho-geographic treasure hunt through Melbourne’s CBD, starting at the exhibition at BLINDSIDE. Based on a bike messenger practice of urban disruption — an ‘alley cat’ race — participants collect clues using QR codes that lead to a reward of a loud, sweaty, distributed (non) spectacle: Powertrip, the club night at Sub Club.

Exhibition

Co-presented by Liquid Architecture and Blindside. Curated by Thomas Ragnar; co-produced by Debris Facility.

17 Mar–3 Apr 2021

Listen to the No Comment episode of the Liquid Architecture podcast here.