Adam Lay Ybounden
by Fruit of Vine
This work is an improvised recorded performance on guitar,
tape and electronics. In this performance I reflect on the Peter Warlock song
and its libretto (a 15th Century poem of an unknown author) that
shares its name with this work (Adam Lay Ybounden). The text concerns the
biblical events of the fall of man outlined in the book of Genesis. This performance
examines what it means to be cast out of what was previously considered a
fundamentally safe and preserved environment; and be forced to reevaluate what
was once deemed ontological certainties. Allegorical examples of this position
can be found in the Christian understanding of humanity after being thrown out
of the garden of Eden (as explored by the song which shares this work’s name), or
in the thought experiment of the destruction of the capitalist system. The
difficulty in imagining such a position being highlighted by popular Frederic
Jameson quote, ‘it’s easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of
capitalism’, and is proven through our unflinching march towards the abyss in
the form of environmental catastrophe, that the most influential in society
refuse to interfere with, if such interference gets in the way of the
capitalist ideals of profit and growth.[1]In using obsolete technology (cassette tape loops) this work hopes to examine
history and memory and uncover examples of how radical changes can occur in
society even if, looking back, these changes do not seem so radical (cassette
tape was a cutting edge technology that would put to death the medium of
vinyl, until C.D.s dominated the market, then downloads, then streaming, etc.).
[1]Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism: Is there No Alternative? (Winchester, UK; Washington, USA: John Hunt Publishing, 2009), 2.
[1]Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism: Is there No Alternative? (Winchester, UK; Washington, USA: John Hunt Publishing, 2009), 2.