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Richard Chartier :: Overview (3 Particles, CD)
Two simultaneous brand new releases by the ever-stylish world of microsound electronic visual artist of Richard Chartier. His work has tread so finely on the edge of atmosphere for years and this is a rare opportunity to delve into his past work in two limited editions (500 each). On his self-produced Overview a collection of works recorded between 1999 and 2003 the sheer Afterimage is a 10 and half minute pure lullaby, reminding me of the stillness of a foggy New England morning. All is eerily quiet, except for the distant horn with a extremely subdued white noise effect. Effective it is, and quite chilling as 2001’s Felt touches more on some primitive ambience. Thick, dense, yet completely transparent, these tracks have an anonymous air about them. Chartier also released Other Materials (3Particles) last year which documented previously unreleased (1999-2001) – so the guy has been busy in the studio.
As “How Things Change” opens you might be listening to a muted ping pong match in space at extreme slow motion or perhaps you are encased in a thick stone cocoon about 1000 yards from a racing track and have decided to open mic the experience. This one breathes and opens like a fine wine after the first two minutes, but you will be unclear as to your own personal global positioning if you listen too closely. The packaging for these recordings is minimal print pieces in and of themselves, resembling fine catalogues rather than the same old same old jewel case. “Series (Exhibition Version)” is nearly silent. There is a bare hint of raised static, and that’s almost it. Recorded in 2000 it is obvious that Chartier is growing and building from tracks like this, with newer work that tends to give something slightly more physical. Pieces like this one have a place – but maybe minimalism has gone too far? Now, mind you, other artists like Francisco Lopez and Bernard Gunter are creating invisible aurals – but maybe we are growing post-silence in 2003.
I do not necessarily want to be the active participant in the experience of listening nor raise the volume to levels that play trial and error with my cheapie stereo. As I said, his works are emerging and growing and evolving and delivering more in this era of higher fidelity. You still have to bend an ear, but when you do, things melt and flow as on the newly recorded “Sketch For Winter (Version2)” which beguiles by way of sonic drone that drifts and materializes. This is the wind chime everyone wants, but fears.
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Richard Chartier :: Archival 1991 (Crouton, CD)
Milwaukee’s Crouton imprint ought to be quite proud of themselves – what a coups! On Archival 1991 tracks locked away from the title year have been revisited as Chartier has taken two original tracks and used them as source material combined to form a new work that runs at almost 47 minutes. The piece is like traveling through a long tunnel, metallic and hollow, humming movement that has an oblong shape and plays with certain gravity. In ways this could be early works of Christian Renou if it weren’t for the label. But what may distinguish this effort from others is its take on his own earlier work, building from original ideas that have a distinctly different resonance – and making the cycle of time resolve itself. Often artists will plant a seed and leave it to grow on its own path, rather than nurture it – and move on to other ideas – but when reviewing old notes, sketches, incomplete works and the like you may dig up a cache like this one. Free from the linear evolution of consistence, works from the vault can often engage new ideas that delve in old passions. This piece is dark ambience in the path trod on by luminaries like Thomas Koner, Biosphere and Nigel Ayers with multiple washes of edgy radiance. Its great to have something like this emerge from an artist whose work is often extremely formal and clean. Archival 1991 is not exactly pulling a 360, but Chartier has proven that he has been there and done that – and with an inferred fetish for the dark side. An evocative work of art.
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