My name is Chelsea Southard.
I am here to explore the music that arises from living and to translate those vibrations into compositions of space and time.
To create experiences and objects which navigate the enduring and the ephemeral, existing as a type of tool to strengthen our awareness and widen the dimensions of perception.
Through the alchemy of mixed metals and glass, combined with the spectrums of sound and light; I create works both large and small which interpret the properties of the human experience and its underlying structures.
We are each an instrument of the finest design. Strung with strings tuned to the precise oscillation of our infinity. My practice is an orchestration of elements intended to further one's ability to understand these frequencies and to give courage to those willing enough to play them.
Setting the stage for each of us to master the greatest instrument of all, ourselves.
CURRENT
PUBLIC ART AND ARCHITECTURE(selected)
2024 - KYNOSURA - concrete, steel and glass functional sundial and sweat lodge dome - Cary Hill Sculpture Park, Salem, NY
2023 - VERFLECTUNG - metal and glass linework sound sculpture - Schloss, Salem, Germany
2022 - VEGA PRISM- sculptural linework mural as part of a Cacao farm- San Pedro Sula, Honduras
2021 - 24 - metal linework sound sculpture - Allentown, PA
2019 - VAHO - concrete, steel and blown glass Temazcal and community space - Antigua, Guatemala
2014 - THINGS OVER TIME - blown glass, polycarbonate, resin, metal, light and sound; features algorithmic audio samples personally sourced from the historic Tremont Tunnels of Boston - 1140 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA
2014 - BEXPHONE - sound installation - MIT Building 9, Boston, MA
2014 - CHRYSALIS - interactive light and sound installation - Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 - PLATONIC SOLIDS - Train Station Gallery, Salem, NY
2022 - FROM SEED TO SPECTRUM - Vega Community, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
2021 - 𝚫S - Allentown, PA
2020 - CREATIVE CONFINEMENT - 738 Treat Ave. - San Francisco, CA
2020 - EL ESPÍRITU DE VAHO - Valhalla, San Miguel Dueñas, Guatemala
2019 - CREATIÓN - Valhalla, Antigua, Guatemala
2014 - THINGS OVER TIME - Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 - FIRST FIRE: KYNOSURA, International Sculpture Center, Salem Art Works, Salem, NY
2024 - S2S EXHIBITION - Salem Art Works, Salem, NY
2023 - COMPENDIUM: Small Works, Crayola Gallery, Banana Factory, Bethlehem, PA
2023 - S2S EXHIBITION - Schule Schloss Salem, Salem, Germany
2018 - NEW LIGHT - Artsquest, Bethlehem, PA, USA
2015 - SPRING SHOW - metal, wood and glass furniture series with foundry artifacts- Bethlehem House Gallery, Bethlehem, PA
2015 - THE GROVE - three lifesize metal trees which lived in the center of the temple, Temple of Promise, Burning Man, Black Rock City, NV
2015 - BRANCHING OUT - American Steel, Oakland, CA
2014 - MICRO - Burning Man, Black Rock City, NV
2014 - SOUND EXPERIMENTS - MIT Building 9, Boston, MA
2014 - FIRST LIGHT - Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA
2014 - the GRID - interactive light installation for dance collaboration with Nomad MVMT - White Wave Theater, New York, NY
RESIDENCIES
2024 - Artist-in-Residence, International Sculpture Center, Salem, New York
2024 - Artist-in-Residence, s2s US, Salem, New York
2023 - Artist-in-Residence, s2s Germany, Schloss Salem, Germany
2022 - Artist-in-Residence, Salem Art Works, New York, USA
2021 - Artist-in-Residence, Vega Community, San Pedro Sula, Honduras,
2020 - Artist-in-Residence, Paragon Project, Antigua, Guatemala
2019 - Artist-in-Residence, Valhalla Macadamia Farm, San Miguel Dueñas, Guatemala
2014 - Artist-in-Residence, Diablo Glass School, Boston, MA, USA
AWARDS
MIT Hacking Arts First Prize Winner
William Randolph Hearst Scholarship
Immersion Award for First Light Installation
Wendy Carlos Sound Design Award
Associate at Game Developers Conference
International Game Developers Scholar
Kris Kono Scholarship
Berklee Harmony Achievement Award
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society Member
EDUCATION
Berklee College of Music, 2014 - Boston, MA
B.M with High Honors in ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION AND DESIGN
Northampton Community College, 2011 - Bethlehem, PA
A.A.with High Honors in PHILOSOPHY
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2014 - current - Freelance Artist, UNUS MUNDUS PROJECT, worldwide
2011 - current - Lighting Designer/Fabricator, VARIOUS CLIENTS, worldwide
2009 - 2023 - Metal Fabricator/Blacksmith, ARTISANAL STRUCTURES, DYNAMIC METAL DESIGNS GRANEY METAL DESIGNS +DMD, East Coast
2015 - 2022 - Metal Fabricator/CTO, GIZMO ART PRODUCTIONS, San Francisco, CA
2012 - 2014 - Glassblower, DIABLO GLASS SCHOOL, Boston, MA
2009 - 2014 - IT Technician, BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC and GEEKSQUAD, Boston, MA and Bethlehem, PA
For the life and story behind the work check out:
