An Experience

I've decided to keep going with the interviews of people about Motown in their life. I sat down with Elizabeth James, a self professed "Motown baby" and asked her to describe the strongest memory she has of Motown. She's a storyteller herself, so she vividly described when her father took her to see the Jackson 5 at Olympia Arena. She told me what she wore, what it smelled like, how the huge speakers at the stage were the biggest she'd ever seen. Unfortunately, I had recorded the talk, but my computer failed to save it. I will have her as a contact, so I'm thinking of going back with more legitimate sound equipment. Meanwhile, I'm getting in contact with the songwriters Ashford & Simpson, who wrote "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "Your All I Need to Get By". Brian Banks has their info, and is helping me get an interview with them.


I was talking with Anna Foster, and she brought up the idea of using LPs as a format for the photos/quotes/collage. I thought then about the way these would be presented in a gallery setting, and I like the idea of having a "room" set up, with seating, posters on the walls, a rug, etc. What I'm thinking now, is that there will be audio involved, either through headphones or speakers, and would be a combination of music and interviews. I want it to be an immersing experience, which goes back to when I visited the Motown Museum, and just being in that space made me feel the history. The viewer would sit and listen to the audio while flipping through the records. Obviously, there are things I still need to flush out, but I'm really happy about this direction.

WHAT NEXT

I'm collecting old records to change and design my own covers, as well as looking into better recording equipment, hopefully with Stephanie's help :)