VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] Huell: HELLO EVERYBODY, I'M HUELL HOWSER.

GET READY FOR AN ARTSY ADVENTURE WITH A TWIST.

NOW LET'S SET THE STAGE.

WHERE ARE WE, SHELLY?

I KNOW WE'RE IN LONG BEACH, DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH.

BUT WHERE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH?

>> THIS IS THE PART OF DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH THAT'S BEEN DESIGNATED AS THE EAST VILLAGE ARTS DISTRICT.

Huell: AN ARTS DISTRICT.

YOU CAN TELL IT'S AN ARTS DISTRICT RIGHT OFF THE BAT, CAN'T YOU?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

Huell: LOTS OF ARTS GOING ON DOWN HERE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

A LOT OF CREATIVE FOLKS.

Huell: BUT WE ARE HERE TO ATTEND--NOW LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH ART WALKS, LIKE EVERY--THE FOURTH THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH IN DOWNTOWN L.A. OR IN SANTA ANA, YOU WALK AROUND AND VISIT DIFFERENT GALLERIES.

THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT, IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE A YEAR HERE IN LONG BEACH.

AND WHAT IS THIS ART WALK ALL ABOUT?

>> SOUND.

Huell: SOUND?

SO IT IS A SOUNDWALK?

>> EXACTLY.

IT'S WALK AROUND AND HEAR THE SOUNDS, NOTHING TO BUY AND EVERYTHING TO ENJOY.

Huell: SO IT'S ALL ABOUT THE AUDIO, THE SOUND.

AND THERE'S SOME VISUAL INVOLVED AS WELL.

BUT WE'RE BASICALLY TALKING ABOUT INSTALLATIONS THAT DEAL WITH SOUND.

>> PRIMARILY DEAL WITH SOUND.

BUT AS YOU SAID, A LOT OF THEM USE OTHER MEANS THROUGH SOME VISUAL OR SOME PROJECTION, SCULPTURE ELEMENTS.

BUT THE MAIN ELEMENT IS SOUND.

Huell: AND THESE ARTISTS-- ARE THESE ARTISTS WHO DEAL IN THINGS OTHER THAN SOUND?

OR DO THEY KIND OF GEAR EVERYTHING FOR SOUND FOR THIS PARTICULAR SHOW?

>> SOME OF THEM ARE SOUND ARTISTS, AND THEY DO THIS AS THEIR PRIMARY MEDIUM.

SOME OF THEM ARE SCULPTORS AND PAINTERS THAT DO SOUND.

BUT MAINLY THEY ARE SOUND ARTISTS.

Huell: AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

SOUND.

AND HERE'S THE MAP RIGHT HERE FOR THE 5th ANNUAL SOUNDWALK FROM 5:00 UNTIL 10:00 AT NIGHT.

IT'S STILL KIND OF EARLY.

MOMENTUM IS BUILDING.

BUT WE'RE READY TO GO.

WE'VE GOT OUR MAP.

THERE ARE OVER 60 SOUND ARTISTS IN THIS SHOW, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

60 INSTALLATIONS.

THERE'S ACTUALLY MORE THAN 60 ARTISTS INVOLVED.

Huell: AND I'VE BEEN PEAKING AROUND.

BOY WE ARE IN FOR A TREAT.

GET READY.

HERE WE GO ON THE LONG BEACH SOUNDWALK.

HERE WE GO!

WE'RE STARTING THINGS OFF IN A VERY CREATIVE WAY.

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE FELLAS?

>> THIS IS OUR BIKES, MARY ANNE AND GINGER.

Huell: MARY ANNE AND GINGER FROM GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

>> FROM GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

Huell: WHAT'S THE DEAL ON THE SOUND?

>> THEY'RE MOBILE SOUND PERCUSSION.

Huell: MOBIL SOUND PERCUSSION.

SO WHAT?

WHEN YOU MOVE THIS THING AROUND... >> YEAH, OUR FISHING POLES DO BOUNCY STUFF.

Huell: GOT A COW BELL.

>> AND JINGLES.

Huell: AND WHO CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA?

>> WE BOTH DID.

Huell: WOW.

>> JUST INSPIRED.

Huell: WOW.

VERY CREATIVE.

HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE SOUNDWALK BEFORE?

>> THIS IS MY THIRD YEAR?

Huell: AND HOW DOES THIS--THIS TOP 'EM ALL RIGHT HERE?

>> THIS IS THE MOST FUN WE'VE EVER HAD.

Huell: ALL RIGHT!

WELL, LET'S SEE YOU GO ON OFF INTO THE DISTANCE.

CAN YOU RIDE DOWN THE SIDEWALK FOR US?

THERE THEY GO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

OH, MY GOSH!

I TOLD YA.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE A LOT OF FUN.

VERY CREATIVE.

THEY'VE STOPPED.

[LAUGHING] >> LIKE, LIKE, LIMITING, LIMITS, LINES, LISTEN, LITERACY, LITTLE, LIVE, LIVE, LIVES, LIVES, LIVES, LIVES, LIVES... Huell: WHAT IS THIS?

>> THIS IS ADAM FONG.

HE'S DOING THE 2005 GEORGE BUSH STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

BUT THE WORDS ARE REORGANIZED SO THAT THEY'RE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER INSTEAD OF DOING THEM IN THE ORDER THAT BUSH-- Huell: SAID THEM.

>> RIGHT.

RIGHT.

Huell: WHO CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S HIS.

THIS IS ADAM FONG.

HE'S A COMPOSER.

HE LOOKS INTO NEW WAYS TO EXPLORE SOUND.

Huell: BUT HE CAN'T STOP.

>> HE CAN'T STOP.

NO.

NO, I DON'T THINK HE WOULD STOP.

Huell: SO WE CAN'T STOP HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 2005 STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

>> WE GOTTA WAIT FOR THE Zs AND THEN WE'LL STOP HIM.

Huell: LISTEN TO THIS.

JUST WATCH.

>> MEASURED, MEASURES, MEDICAL, MEDICAL, MEDICAL, MEDICAL, MEDICAL, MEDICINE, MEET, MEETINGS, MEMBERS, MEMBERS, MEMBERS, MEMORY, MEN, MEN, MEN, MEN, MEN, MEN, MEN, MEN, MESSAGE, MIDDLE, MIDDLE, MIDDLE, MIDDLE... Huell: THIS IS THE MOST BIZARRE PIECE OF SOUND ART... >> YEAH.

Huell: I'VE EVER HEARD.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I WAS LOOKING HERE.

HE HAS 3 DIFFERENT PIECES THAT ARE ALL ABOUT THE DIFFERENT STATE OF THE UNIONS THAT BUSH HAS DONE.

SO THIS ONE IS THE WORDS.

AND THEN HE HAS A MUSICAL INTERPRETATION ABOUT THE DEATHS IN IRAQ.

AND THEN HE HAS A THIRD ONE THAT'S JUST THE APPLAUSE.

IT HAS NO WORDS.

IT'S JUST PEOPLE CLAPPING AS THE CONGRESS CLAPPED.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE MOVING ON.

>> MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE, MORNING.

Huell: NOW THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.

JUST 2 BOXES, 2 LITTLE STANDS HERE WITH 2 MEGAPHONES.

AND HERE'S THE ARTIST RIGHT HERE.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> WELL, WE'RE AN ARTIST GROUP.

WE'RE CALLED FINISHING SCHOOL.

AND THIS PIECE IS CALLED STAND DELIVER.

AND IT'S A MOBIL UNIT.

AND THE IDEA IS THAT IT CAN MOVE AROUND IN PUBLIC SPACES.

AND PEOPLE COULD MOUNT THE PLATFORMS AND THEN ENGAGE IN A KIND OF DEBATE-- Huell: FREE SPEECH!

>> EXACTLY.

Huell: AND THAT'S WHAT SOUND IS ALL ABOUT.

>> YES.

Huell: SO YOU'RE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO COME HERE, STAND UP ON THE THING AND SPEAK THEIR MINDS, EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS.

MAKE SOME NOISE.

THAT'S WHAT THIS COUNTRY NEEDS, ISN'T IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON HERE?

>> WELL, I'M A SOUND ARTIST.

AND WHEN I GO THROUGH SWAP MEETS OR STORES, I LOOK AT UTENSILS AND POTS AND PANS, AND INSTEAD OF THINKING COOKING.

HECK NO!

I THINK OF AUDITORY SOUNDS LIKE... Huell: AHH.

>> THIS IS NOT A POT LID ANYMORE.

Huell: WOW!

SO THIS IS AS SIMPLE AS LOOK, YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE ORCHESTRA DOWN HERE.

ALL OVER HERE.

THIS IS ALL, EVERY SINGLE POT AND EVERY SINGLE PAN HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR BEING PART OF THE ART SCENE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN TONES, THEIR OWN NOTES.

AND DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU HOLD THEM, HOW YOU HOLD THEM, AND WHAT YOU HIT THEM WITH, THEY SOUND DIFFERENT.

Huell: WOW.

HAVE YOU EVER MADE A CD?

>> I DO.

IN FACT, I DO HAVE A SOUND CLIP OF KITCHEN DOORS SLAMMING, CUPBOARDS AND DOG DISHES.

Huell: HA!

>> ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS GUY OVER HERE.

YOU'RE HAVING A GOOD TIME.

>> OH, YEAH.

I'M HAVING A GREAT TIME, HAL.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

>> HI.

THIS IS GREAT.

JOYFUL NOISE.

Huell: BEAT ON THOSE POTS AND PANS.

BEAT ON THOSE POTS AND PANS.

WOW.

IT JUST GOES ON AND ON.

>> LOVING IT.

>> HUELL HOWSER.

OH, THERE.

Huell: IT'S A LITTLE RISQUE.

BUT IT'S ART.

AND IT'S ALL ABOUT SOUND.

WE HAVE THE ARTIST RIGHT HERE.

YOU GOTTA EXPLAIN THIS.

>> THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE PIECE.

IT'S ENTITLED GOSSIP.

Huell: GOSSIP.

>> GOSSIP.

AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

Huell: SO EXPLAIN THIS BECAUSE THIS IS FASCINATING.

>> WELL, IT'S THE IDEA THAT WITH GOSSIP, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S COMING FROM OR WHERE IT'S GONNA GO.

IT KIND OF MAGICALLY APPEARS IN DIFFERENT PLACES WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

AND HERE'S WHAT'S INTERESTING.

THIS IS ONLY HALF OF THE INSTALLATION.

COME ON BACK HERE AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER HALF.

AND LET'S KIND OF EXPLAIN NOW, COME ON OVERX÷o HERE, CAMERON SO WE CAN GET ITw@ ALL IN JUXTAPOSITION.

HOW DOES ÷ THIS WORK?

THIS IS WHAT'S JUSTú AMAZING ABOUT THIS.

>> WELL, IT'S LIKE GOSSIP.

IT'S MAGIC.

IT'S METAPHYSICAL.

Huell: SO WHAT'S HAPPENING?

EXPLAIN.

>> WHAT THEY'RE SAYING, THEY HEAR IT OVER HERE, THEY REPEAT IT.

Huell: ALL RIGHT, CAN YOU SAY SOMETHING?

>> I LIKE YOUR GREEN SHIRT,ú úú HUELL.

>> I KNOW.

HE LOOKS HOT.

@ >> HE LOOKS HOT.

Huell: SO WHAT THEY'RE SAYING DOWN THERE-- >> AND YOU DON'T KNOW.

YOU NEVER KNOW ABOUT GOSSIP.

WHAT THEY'RE GONNA SAY.

YOU KNOW?

Huell: YOU'RE HEARING THEM SAY HERE.

REPEAT IT.

>> YEP.

EXACTLY.

Huell: WHY ARE THEY NAKED?

>> WELL, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE MOST TO GOSSIP HAVE THE LEAST OR PROBABLY IN THE LEAST POSITION TO GOSSIP.

Huell: THE LEAST CLOTHES ON.

>> YES.

IT'S KIND OF THE EMPEROR'S CLOTHES.

Huell: HA HA!

>> JUST TRYING TO GET A LITTLE ATTENTION.

@ WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

Huell: THIS IS SO MUCH FUN.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

Huell: HOW DO YOU THINK UP SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> IT'S MY WARPED PERSONALITY.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> THE NEXT STOP IS WASHINGTON STATION.

THE NEXT STOP IS WASHINGTON STATION.

Huell: NOW WE'RE HEAR AT A BUS STOP.

AND WHAT ARE WE LISTENING TO HERE?

>> WE'RE LISTENING TO CONVERSATIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Huell: YOU RECORDED CONVERSATIONS.

LET'S HEAR THEM.

>> [INDISTINCT] Huell: JUST PEOPLE TALKING.

>> YEAH.

JUST PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

Huell: AND WHY IS THIS ART?

I MEAN THAT IN THE KINDEST WAY.

>> YOU CAN'T ASK THAT KIND OF QUESTION.

WHY IS IT NOT ART?

IT'S ART.

IT'S ART BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE.

AND IT'S ABOUT HOW PEOPLE INTERACT.

IT'S ABOUT THE STORIES THEY HAVE TO TELL EACH OTHER.

AND I'M REALLY INTERESTED IN PEOPLE'S STORIES AND THE NARRATIVES ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES.

Huell: WERE YOU SURPRISED AT THIS KIND OF THINGS YOU HEARD?

>> OH, YEAH.

PEOPLE SAY ALL KINDS OF STUFF OUT LOUD.

I MEAN, YOU'RE THINKING, "UH, WE CAN HEAR YOU."

THEY'RE SITTING THERE TALKING ABOUT THEIR BOYFRIENDS OR, YOU KNOW, HOW THEIR KID'S GONE WRONG.

IT'S PRETTY AMAZING.

Huell: AND YOU RECORDED IT.

AND IT'S ALL BEING REVEALED.

>> INDEED.

Huell: RIGHT HERE AS PART OF SOUNDWALK.

>> YES, IT IS.

Huell: I'M LISTENING FOR SOMETHING JUICY.

I'M JUST HEARING THE SOUNDS OF THE... >> THAT'S--IT'LL COME UP.

Huell: DOES IT GET JUICIER LATER ON?

>> YEAH.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF JUICY PLACES.

THERE'S ACTUALLY A WOMAN WHO'S , LIKE, TALKING ABOUT HOW SHE DOESN'T HAVE CUSTODY OF HER CHILD AND HOW SHE'S HAVING FIGHTS WITH THE HUSBAND.

Huell: IS IT LEGAL TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> I WOULD THINK THAT WE'RE IN A PUBLIC PLACE AND PEOPLE ARE TALKING OUT LOUD OR TALKING ON THEIR CELL PHONES.

Huell: HEY, WE JUST SAW IT.

IT'S FREE SPEECH.

>> YEAH.

SO.

>> [INDISTINCT] Huell: WOW.

YOU HAD FUN DOING THIS ONE DIDN'T YOU?

>> YEAH.

YEAH, I DID.

I DID IT IN NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES.

Huell: BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU'RE ON MASS TRANSIT.

LOOK OUT FOR HER WHEN YOU START HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT PRIVATE THINGS, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

WELL, YOU JUST NEED TO THIN ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IN PUBLIC.

Huell: PEOPLE ARE FASCINATED BY THE MANNEQUINS.

BUT LOOK WHAT W JUST FOUND.

THERE'S NOISE COMING OUT OF THE DRAIN HERE.

[RUMBLING] Huell: WHAT IS THIS?Pú >> I DON'T KNOW.ú@@@P Huell: I MEAN, IS THIS AN OFFICIAL ENTRY IN SOUNDWALK?

>> OH, YEAH.

YES, IT IS.

Huell: WHO'S THE ARTIST?

>> THE ARTIST'S NAME IS CARLIN WANG.

Huell: WHERE IS CARLIN WANG?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

Huell: BUT CARLIN'S IDEA WAS TO PUT A SPEAKER-- >> INTO THE STORM DRAIN.

Huell: STORM DRAIN.

[RUMBLING] Huell: WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK ABOUT THIS?

>> WELL, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT BEGINS ACTUALLY.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET A PROGRAM.

Huell: WE'VE GOT ONE RIGHT HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

EXCELLENT.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR MY FRIEND WHO'S DOING AN EXHIBIT.

Huell: THERE'S ART ALL AROUND US.

YOU GOT THE MANNEQUINS.

>> THOSE ARE FABULOUS.

Huell: YOU GOT NOISE COMING OUT THE STREET DRAIN.

>> AND THE LOCATION AND THEIR NUMBERS HERE.

>> AWESOME.

THANKS.

Huell: DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO?

>> YES.

I ACTUALLY CAME LOOKING FOR THIS.

I MEAN, I DID.

'CAUSE I'M LOOKING FOR MY FRIEND.

Huell: IT'S FUN, ISN'T IT?

>> IT'S AWESOME.

IT'S COOL.

Huell: NOW WE'VE COME UPSTAIRS INTO ONE OF THE BUILDINGS HERE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> THIS IS A DRONE RITUAL.

AND IT'S A CLEANSING, MEDITATIONAL RITUAL WHERE WE PLAY FOR 5 HOURS ON ONE NOTE.

Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.

5 HOURS ON ONE NOTE?!

>> RIGHT.

ACTUALLY IN THIS INSTANCE WE'RE DOING A CHORD.

SO IT'S 3 NOTES ON ONE CHORD, BUT THEY'RE PLAYED SIMULTANEAOUSLY OVER 5 HOURS.

Huell: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING ALREADY?

>> SINCE 5:00, SO PROBABLY ABOUT AN HOUR.

SO YOU'VE STILL GOT AN HOUR TO GO.

>> 4 HOURS.

Huell: 4 HOURS OF ONE NOTE.

LOOK OVER HERE.

WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE OVER HERE.

LOOK AT THIS.

LOOK OVER HERE.

WOW!

THIS IS--COME ON OVER HERE.

THIS IS--THIS IS--I'VE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> HA HA.

LIKE I SAID, WE ALL KIND OF HAVE A HECTIC SOCIETY WE LIVE IN.

SO WHEN YOU DO THIS IT'S EXACTLY LIKE MEDITATION.

WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, YOU LEAVE HERE AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE KIND OF FLOATING, YOU'RE LEVITATING.

YOU'RE JUST HAPPY.

YOU'RE FULL OF LIFE.

Huell: AND THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE GONNA BE DOING FOR 5 HOURS!

LOOK AT THIS.

LET'S JUST LISTEN TO THIS FOR A MINUTE.

ONE NOTE!

[TRUMPET PLAYING] Huell: OK. WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT WE'VE BEEN REALLY LACKING LATELY IN THIS NATION IS A FEELING OF HOPE.

AND I'M KIND OF MODESTLY PROPOSING THAT WE BRING THE HOPE BACK.

AND I'M BRINGING THE HOPE BACK TONIGHT WITH THIS ICONIC MUSIC.

Huell: STAR WARS.

>> THAT REALLY STAND FOR HOPE.

YES, EPISODE 4: A NEW HOPE.

[STAR WARS THEME PLAYS] [WHIRRING] Huell: IT'S MAKING A STRANGE AND WONDERFUL NOISE.

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> WELL, EACH ONE OF THESE THINGS IS PLAYING A LITTLE LOOPED MELODY.

Huell: YOU HAVE THEM INSTALLED ALL UP IN HERE.

>> WELL, THE PLAN WAS TO HAVE THEM GO ALL THE WAY AROUND.

BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH.

TOOK ME 2 WEEKS JUST TO MAKE 6 OF THESE.

SO... Huell: AND WHAT IS THIS SUPPOSED TO EVOKE?

>> WELL, THE MAIN IDEA I HAD WAS TAKING SOUND AND ACTUALLY SPREADING IT OUT OVER SPACE RATHER THAN--YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GO TO A CONCERT AND YOU ACTUALLY WATCH PEOPLE ON STAGE.

THE SOUNDS COMING FROM ONE SOURCE.

I WANTED THE SOUND TO BE SPREAD OUT OVER SPACE.

THAT'S WHY I WANTED-- Huell: WHOLE THING HERE.

>> BUT, IT'S A LITTLE QUIET.

SO I HAD TO KIND OF CONCENTRATE IT.

Huell: WELL, IT'S KIND OF SUBTLE.

[WHIRRING] Huell: YEAH, I CAN GET INTO THAT.

>> A LOT OF COMPETITION.

Huell: WELL, GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

Huell: NEXT YEAR YOU'LL HAVE ENOUGH TO DO THE WHOLE THING.

>> NEXT YEAR, I'LL HAVE 20 OF THEM.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

NOW WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?

WHERE ARE WE?

>> WE ARE AT THE 1st AND ELM COMMUNITY GARDEN HERE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH.

Huell: SO WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS IS ALWAYS HERE.

>> THIS IS ALWAYS HERE.

ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS.

THIS IS A PIECE OF ART.

>> WELCOME TO THE GARDEN.

Huell: IS THERE SOUND IN THE GARDEN.

>> THERE IS.

THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN IF YOU KEEP WALKING BACK THROUGH.

Huell: BOY, THIS IS UNEXPECTED RIGHT HERE IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH.

>> YES.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF OUR GARDEN IN THE CITY.

Huell: HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN HERE?

>> HOW LONG, PATRICK?

>> 20 YEARS.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING?

>> NO.

NO.

Huell: I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS.

>> THIS WAS A CHAPEL.

THIS BUILDING NEXT TO US USED TO BE A CHAPEL.

AND THE SISTERS THAT TOOK CARE OF THE CHAPEL WOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS GARDEN BEFORE IT BECAME A COMMUNITY GARDEN.

HE'S OUR AMBASSADOR TO THE COMMUNITY GARDEN.

THAT'S MANTIS MAN.

Huell: DOES HE MAKE ANY NOISE?

>> NO.

NO, HE DOESN'T TALK.

BUT BASICALLY THESE ARE ALL PLOTS THAT PEOPLE RENT OUT.

AND WE GROW ORGANIC PRODUCE.

YOU KNOW OUR MISSION IS SORT OF TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY USING THE GROUND AT THEIR FEET TO GROW HEALTHY THINGS.

>> EVEN IN THE CITY.

Huell: I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY SOUND.

>> WELL, WE PROBABLY COULD HEAR THE SOUND OF FROGS MAYBE OVER NEAR THE POUND.

AND MAYBE THE SOUNDS OF BIRDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

KIND OF SUBTLE.

WE WANT TO MAKE IT JUST THE GARDEN AFTER DARK.

SO KIND OF SOME SUBTLE SOUNDS YOU MIGHT HERE IN NATURE.

Huell: BECAUSE YOU SEE.

THAT'S INTERESTING .

NOT ALL SOUNDS--YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE HIT OVER THE HEAD WITH THEM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: SOME OF THE BEST SOUNDS ARE SOUNDS THAT YOU HAVE TO REALLY BE QUIET AND LISTEN FOR.

>> AND YOU COME UPON.

ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: AND THOSE ARE THE KIND OF SOUNDS YOU WOULD HEAR ALL YEAR ROUND IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE'VE GOT THE BIRDS THAT COME.

THE RACCOONS THAT COME.

THE POSSUMS THAT COME.

YEAH.

WE ENCOURAGE THE WILDLIFE.

US TOO.

Huell: NOW THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.

WHAT ARE WE LISTENING TO NOW?

>> THIS IS ABSTRACT JAZZ.

THEY GO FROM RIGHT ON JAZZ TO ABSTRACT JAZZ.

THEY'RE EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC.

Huell: AND WHO ARE THEY?

WHERE ARE THEY FROM?

>> THIS IS LA MAR, AND THEY'RE FROM PALOMAR COLLEGE IN SAN DIEGO.

Huell: WOW.

AND WHAT'S THE THEME?

WHY IS THIS PERSON DRESSED LIKE THIS?

>> BIRDS ARE THE THEME.

Huell: OH, IT'S A BIRD THEME!

>> YES.

Huell: WOW.

>> THEY ARE INCREDIBLE.

Huell: THIS IS SO INTERESTING.

>> YES.

IT'S REALLY NEAT.

Huell: AND BOY, THEY REALLY FILL UP YOUR STUDIO WITH SOUND, DON'T THEY?

>> YES, THEY DO.

Huell: OK. >> WE'RE REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE THEM.

[MUSIC SLOWS] Huell: THIS IS ALL IMPROVISED, FREE FLOWING.

>> YES.

ALL IMPROVISED MUSIC.

THEY'LL GO FROM JAZZ MELODY TO JUST THIS FAR OUT SOUND.

THIS MAN--HE PLAYS THE WASHTUBS.

HE PLAYS CYMBALS.

HE PLAYS DRUMS.

Huell: PROUD FATHER OF A SOUND ARTIST.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS ANDREW JOHNSON.

HE'S A STUDENT AT U.S.D.

IN SAN DIEGO.

Huell: AND YOU SUPPORT HIM IN HIS ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S WHATEVER HIS DREAMS ARE AND WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO.

WE SUPPORT HIM 100% IN THIS.

Huell: AND LOOKING AT THE INSTALLATION, YOU SAID THAT PART OF IT--THE LADDER... >> THE LADDER IS MINE.

THE REST OF THE GEAR IS HIS.

Huell: OK. GREAT.

LET'S MEET THE ARTIST.

HUELL HOWSER.

>> HI THERE.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU.

THIS IS FASCINATING.

EXPLAIN WHAT WE'VE GOT GOING ON HERE.

[BLOWIN' IN THE WIND PLAYING] >> WELL, WE GOT BOB DYLAN SINGING BLOWIN' IN THE WIND.

AND AS THE AUDIENCE COMES UP THEY GET BLOWN, THEY GET BLOWN IN THE WIND THERE.

Huell: SO YOU'VE GOT A FAN GOING HERE THAT BLOWS THE MICROPHONE OVER THE SPEAKER THAT BOB DYLAN IS SINGING BLOWIN' IN THE WIND.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT'S IT.

YOU GET SOME FEEDBACK AND YOU GET SOME ECHO.

IT'S A LITTLE NOSTALGIC.

Huell: HOW DO YOU COME UP--HOW DO ARTIST COME UP WITH THESE KINDS OF IDEAS.

>> I DREAMED IT.

Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.

>> NO.

I DREAMED IT.

Huell: YOU DREAMED THIS WHOLE THING?

>> YEAH.

DREAMED IT.

WOKE UP AND WROTE IT DOWN AND WENT BACK TO BED.

Huell: DOES IT HAVE A NAME?

>> IT'S CALLED BLOWIN' IN THE WIND.

>> ♪ THE ANSWER IS BLOWIN' IN THE WIND ♪ Huell: TALK ABOUT SUBTLE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST CREATIVE INSTALLATIONS IN THE ENTIRE SOUNDWALK.

BECAUSE I WALKED IN HERE.

AND HERE ARE THESE ROCKS.

AND YOU DON'T HEAR ANYTHING.

>> IT'S VERY QUIET.

Huell: AND HERE'S THE ARTIST.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> LEWIS KELLER.

Huell: AND TELL EVERYBODY NOW WHAT THE SOUND IS IF YOU'RE QUIET IN HERE AND LISTEN CAREFULLY.

>> SO A COUPLE OF SOUNDS.

THE MOTOR MAKES THIS VERY CONSISTENT, REGULAR PULSING SOUND.

Huell: UH-HUH >> BUT THEN BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL FORMS OF THE ROCKS, YOU GET THIS SORT OF CHAOTIC CLICKING AND SCRAPING.

Huell: YOU HAVE A STRING HERE THAT'S BEING PULLED BY THE MACHINE HERE, PULLING THIS ROCK--LOOK AT THIS--OVER THE OTHER ROCKS.

AND AS IT IS PULLED--BOY IT'S BARELY MOVING.

THERE IS GOES.

THERE--IT MAKES-- WOW.

THAT IS-- IT MAKES A NOISE.

>> VERY SUBTLE NOISE.

Huell: HOW DID YOU THINK OF THIS?

>> AFTER A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH DISCUSSION.

WE HAD ALL THESE PLANS FOR ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

Huell: THAT IS SO CREATIVE.

>> IT WAS A COLLABORATIVE THING.

SO... Huell: BOY IT POINTS UP AGAIN THE SOUNDS THAT ARE SOMETIMES THE MOST MEANINGFUL ARE THE MOST OBSCURE.

AND YOU BARELY--YOU CAN BARELY HEAR THEM.

>> TRYING TO ENCOURAGE CLOSE LISTENING , I GUESS.

Huell: 'CAUSE IN TODAY'S WORLD, EVERYTHING IS SO LOUD.

>> SATURATED WITH NOISE.

Huell: YEAH.

AND THIS THING IS ALL ABOUT THE SOUND OF A SINGLE STONE BEING PULLED OVER OTHER STONES.

WOW.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT RIGHT HERE.

>> THESE ARE 2 APPLE LAPTOPS ON SWINGS.

THEY'RE NETWORKED TOGETHER.

Huell: COMPUTERS ON... >> COMPUTERS ON SWINGS.

THE IDEA IS YOU NORMALLY NEVER SEE A LAPTOP ON A SWING THAT YOU CAN COME AND INTERACT WITH AND PUSH.

Huell: AND YOU'RE HEARING... >> WE'RE HEARING SOUND BASED ON HOW FAR YOU PUSH.

SO IF I PUSH THIS ONE-- Huell: PUSH IT FOR US.

>> IT'LL MAKE THE OTHER ONE GO.

SO IF I PUSH THIS, THERE'S A LITTLE ACCELEROMETER WHICH SENSES THE MOTION OF THE LAPTOP.

Huell: ARE YOU A COMPUTER GUY?

>> I'M A COMPUTER MUSIC COMPOSER.

Huell: THAT'S A GOOD COMBINATION.

>> EXACTLY, RIGHT.

AND I TEACH UP AT KELLER.

Huell: NOW, DOES THIS HAVE A PRACTICAL USE TO IT?

THE ART DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PRACTICAL.

>> NO, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO AT ALL.

BUT IT'S MORE THE DANGER ASPECT OF IT.

NOT DANGER BUT IT'S FUN.

PEOPLE OFTEN COME UP AND THEY'RE SORT OF TIMID, LITTLE AFRAID TO PUSH 'EM.

Huell: HERE, PUSH THAT ONE.

THAT'S BEGINNING TO SLOW DOWN.

>> GIVE IT A GOOD PUSH HERE.

THEY SWING.

AND THEY'LL REALLY SWING AROUND.

AND BASED ON THE MOVEMENT, IT THEN SENDS THE DATA OVER TO THIS LAPTOP, WHICH THEN MAKES THE SOUND INTERACT.

AND THERE'S A LITTLE VIDEO CAMERA ON EACH ONE THAT PROCESSES THE VIDEO BASED ON THE SOUND THAT COMES OUT OF IT.

Huell: WOW.

BASED UPON THE CROWD THAT YOU'RE GATHERING HERE, THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.

>> IT'S FUN.

Huell: THIS IS CUTTING EDGE.

>> I GUESS SO.

YEAH.

Huell: WELL, LISTEN TO THE SOUND.

>> GET THIS UP.

[WHIRRING] [FEEDBACK NOISE] Huell: WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND HERE?

>> I'M CONTROLLING A SUBWOOFER AND THE MICROPHONE THAT'S INSIDE THIS RIGHT HERE WITH PEDALS.

Huell: WHAT'S THE NAME OF THIS INSTALLATION?

>> IT'S JOSE JUAREZ AND THE DIVINE PROJECT.

Huell: AND THIS IS THE ARTIST OVER HERE.

>> THIS IS JOSE RIGHT HERE.

Huell: WHAT IS HE PLAYING ON OVER THERE?

WHAT IS THAT INSTRUMENT?

>> I--I COULDN'T REALLY DESCRIBE IT.

BUT IT HAS A MICROPHONE THAT HE BUILT INSIDE OF IT.

AND A SMALL SPEAKER AND SOME CONDENSERS AS WELL.

Huell: LOOK AT THIS THING.

ARE YOU PLAYING THAT RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S UH-- Huell: ARE YOU-- >> IT'S A LOT OF THINGS.

IT'S LIKE THERE'S A MICROPHONE.

AND THERE'S KIND OF A BIO TOUCH SENSOR HERE WHERE IT KIND OF PROCESSES CIRCUITS AND MAKES NOISE.

Huell: WOW.

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING.

AND VERY LOUD.

BUT IT'S ART.

THE ART OF SOUND.

WE GOT A WHOLE CROWD OF PEOPLE HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WONDERFUL PIECE OF ART.

NOW YOUR NAME IS?

>> JAY NOLAND.

Huell: YOU'RE NOT THE ARTIST.

>> I AM NOT.

Huell: WHERE IS THE ARTIST?

>> THE ARTIST IS OUT AND ABOUT MAKING MORE SOUND ART.

MAKI@@rV@VbúúúP@0c0cT.

Huell: ALL RIGHT.

BUT YOU'RER&@ HERE TO REPRESENT THE ARTIST.

@ >> I AM.

I AM.

I'M A FRIEND ANDú e@0@úúú .

I AM.

I'M A FRIEND ANDú QUITE FAMILIAR WITH HER WORK.

Sú SHE ASKED ME TO.S@éP;$d,deddú@t Huell: WHAT IS THIS?ú<p< xú8p >> NOW IF WE MOVE CLOSE, YOU CAD SEE THAT IT RESEMBLES A BIRD@F2ú NEST.

AND THE SOUND ITSELF WOULx MAKE ONE THINK IT IS A BIRDpp p0 NEST.úúúpppaú@@!a Huell: LET ME HEAR IT.aOj@F @F&Ñ >> TAKE A LISTEN.bP<:@ [CHIRPING] j@í]@l4vúú 40xXxxzXz8 Huell: WOW.÷@<úl8((hh@hHú, @Lí@y >> HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A BIRD$" SOUND.

THIS IS IN FACT BECCA ,$@ WALKER THE ARTIST MAKING@D@@@@@@ CHIRPING SOUNDS.

@=o/@@@@@úú@ Huell: SHE MADE THESE NOISES?

@@ú >> THAT IS HER MAKING THOSE SOUNDS.

DúúúúúD""@ [CHIRPING]@úú@ú.TXxD@dDoé!8(lz@ Huell: OH, MY GOSH!hm2 tXtXd@0p@ >> SO THIS ARTIST IS VERY@H INTERESTED IN THE RELATIONSHIP @ BETWEEN HUMAN AND ANIMALS AND@C@ THE STEWARDSHIP OF ANIMALS AND@á HOW WE RELATE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW0 HERE SHE CREATES THIS2÷ SERENDIPITOUS EVENT WHERE YOU'R WALKING DOWN AND ALLEY AND YOU COME ACROSS WHAT YOU THINK IS A BIRD NEST.

AND YOU THINK YOU'RE HEARING BIRDS.

BUT IN FACT, YOU'RE HEARING HER, THE ARTIST.

[CHIRPING]cp Huell: THAT IS TRULY AMAZING8] >> YEAH.

ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL?$ IT'S VERY SUBTLE.

@8 [CHIRPING]0a Huell: WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT.

WE HAVE JUST SCRAPED THE SURFACE.

THERE ARE OVER 60 INSTALLATIONS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

Huell: AND MORE ARTISTS THAN THAT.

SO WE'VE JUST TAPPED THE SURFACE.

BUT WE HAVE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TIME DOWN HERE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME, I'D EVER SEEN THE LONG BEACH ARTS DISTRICT.

>> OH.

WELL AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU CAME?

Huell: IT IS ITSELF WORTH Aú@ VISIT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR.

@@@@ >> THAT'S RIGHT.

@ Huell: SIDEWALK CAFES AND GALLERIES.

>> AND FABULOUS LITTLE SHOPS.

@qp Huell: SHOPS ALL OVER THE PLACEA SO I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT TO SEEé AND DO HERE ALL YEAR ROUND.

BUT@ I GUARANTEE YA, YOU GOTTA COME DOWN NEXT YEAR FOR THE 6th ANNUAL SOUNDWALK HERE IN LONG BEACH.

WE'VE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL TIME.

REMEMBER, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SOUND.

>> SOUND.

Huell: SOUND.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI]ñx [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONALú7ú?

CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--]ñ VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.