Wingel Mendoza, a Mexico City-born composer and sound artist based in Germany, has seen his work performed internationally and received multiple prizes, including first prizes in composition competitions. A two-time “Jóvenes Creadores” program recipient and he is a member of Mexico’s National System of Art Creators, his diverse body of work spans orchestral compositions to sound art exhibitions across the world. Mendoza’s approach intertwines sound with memories, images, and interactions with technology, nature, and other art forms, aiming to broaden musical perception through improvisation, collaboration, and the creation of unique analog and digital instruments.
The “Memory whispers” project encompasses three artistic phases: the exploration of Pāvilosta surroundings, a performative action, and the creation of a sound sculpture.
In its exploration phase, the project probes into Pāvilosta’s ambient sounds, investigating the nuanced interplay between emotions and objects capable of encapsulating these sounds. It zeroes in on commonly disregarded everyday items, revealing how these object-sound associations mirror Pāvilosta’s collective memory. This inquiry is driven by a fascination with the emotional bonds forged between individuals and the objects pervading their everyday environments, particularly those who go from hand to hand in the community.
The performance aspect transforms “Memory whispers” into an auditory sculpture, serving dual functions as an instrument. It repurposes objects endowed with communal memories and emotions, sourced from Pāvilosta residents. These items act as conduits for sound reproduction and / or manipulation, facilitating the creation of an auditory performance crafted from field recordings collected during the exploration stage, thereby sonically reenacting memories and temporal experiences.
Moreover, the sound sculpture facet allows audience interaction, enabling explorations through tactile and auditory engagements with objects sourced from coastal areas or community contributions, weaving together the area’s natural and human narratives.
Supported by the PAiR residency, this project benefits from an environment that nurtures its growth, promoting the integration of its core concept with Pāvilosta’s distinctive attributes. This setting further broadens its investigation into the dynamic between humans and objects, emphasizing sustainability, community engagement, and the transformative potential of art.
