V/A - First Citizens of the Moon

Edition of 200. Cassettes in unique laser-cut wooden assemblages. "Compilation featuring previously unreleased material from Pomona Za, Yixuan Pan, Blue Chemise, Ami Yamasaki, Malachi Lily, John M. Bennett, Creode, Couteau Sang, Id M Theft Able, Tavishi, Jim Strong and Anna Mikhailova as well as Rarities by Vox Populi!, Church Shuttle and Spires that in the Sunset Rise."

"The initial thought behind this audio compilation was to concretize relationships established through years of research and correspondence in organizing performance work, screenings and exhibitions. It represents only a handful of artists I have gathered material from and will likely be the first of many such releases.

It was compiled in bursts of activity between 2016 and 2018.

This collection contains rare and unreleased material from artists combining and departing from the traditions of Poetry, Performance art, Home recording, Mail art, Radio plays, Sound installation, Improvisation, Choral Music and Experimental theater.

At first glance, the title “The First Citizens of The Moon” may suggest the eventual physical migration of humans towards life beyond our current planetary home. An Inevitable fascination for the terrestrially bound. We acknowledge this thread and move to its parallel. Here, we feel more in accord with the possibilities of imaginative transport. The title of this compilation references a letter written by, the painter Marsden Hartley in which he described [fellow painter] Albert Pinkham Ryder (1847-1917) as being “Among the first citizens of the moon”. The myth of Ryder is one in which Time itself is superseded by hermetic persistence. The object of focus becomes an imprint of things imminent, both here and not. One can imagine, after a lifetime of this pursuit, Ryder Lifting his gaze from his worktable to find himself immersed in soundless immensity. Startled, he drops his brush and it remains floating in front of him, Light as air.

For the purposes of the artists gathered here, “The First Citizens of the Moon” places the Creative Process as intuitive ritual- Drawing the signifiers of daily experience into composite environments- part memory, part location. A vestige of magical transport surrounding the most humble act." - Jim Strong, Cor Ardens, 2019.