Love Me

‘Love Me’ is made up of a chorus of 10 violins/fiddles each mounted on a music stand. The violins/fiddles are in various conditions giving each violin a personality of its own. Through each violin/fiddle body 35 individual voices are heard, each say ‘Love me’ in 35 different languages.
A black pillow rests on a black music stand facing the grouping. The 35 voices are both heard and felt individually through the pillow when it is picked up and held to the viewers body. On one side of the pillow is an embroidered ‘Love me’ with the same phrase in braille below. On the other side is an embroidered ‘Love me’ in American Sign Language. The intent is to make the experience of the installation as accessible and inclusive as possible for everyone.
The overall installation references the classical arrangement of a conductor and musicians. While violins are often associated with sad and emotional pieces, they are equally adept at conveying joy and happiness. There is also a relation between beautiful violin music and strong attraction. In the same way ‘Love me’ can be expressed in manners that range from desperation, to longing, to hope and indeed to joy.