Wolf Tones

by Maximilian Goldfarb, Nancy Shaver, Sterrett Smith

A multidisciplinary reader on an acoustic phenomenon conventionally deemed undesirable When a bowed stringed instrument is played, the vibrations of certain notes can resonate at the same frequency as the vibrations of the instrument itself. The dissonant effect that results is referred to as a “wolf tone,” for its howl, and is almost universally characterized as an unpleasant deviance. For Maximilian Goldfarb, Nancy Shaver and Sterrett Smith, however, the wolf tone has come to serve as a productive analogy for describing forces at work in a visual field and a model for their ongoing collaboration, Wolf Tones . Here, the artists present an orchestrated cacophony of images from their individual and collaborative practices alongside texts by contributors from the realms of music and sound, art, poetry, art criticism and architecture. Referencing landscape, temporality, sonic surpluses, improvisation, Éliane Radigue’s Naldjorlak and more, this book addresses the artists' collaboration as well as the acoustic phenomenon itself, reimagining the wolf tone as something to be celebrated.

303 pages, Paperback

Published February 8, 2022

Reviews

[Noah Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Wolf Tones" the sonic phenomena by the same name is adapted as a foundational principle for artistic collaboration between Artists Nancy Shaver, Maximilian Goldfarb, and Sterrett Smith. The trio utilizes visual dissonance and juxtaposition to guide viewers and highlight harmonious elements of their collaboration. A primary theme through out is the that the wolf tone is not a problem but a possibility, that when approached with care instead of domination can be utilized for its unique aesthetic qualities.

This collection of essays and art serves as the third installment of the trios collaboration after the second exhibition was cut short, opening 3 days before the 2020 shutdown. This book engaged me in a similar way that visiting an art show would. Though it took me time to understand how the sonic concept related to the visual, by the end of the book I felt fully immersed in the found harmony created between the collaboration. I don' t think this book is the most accessible for everyday art lovers but I wouldn't discourage anyone from checking it out.