The August Wilson Archive Community Artist-Scholar program provides support and incentive for local artists and scholars to explore the August Wilson Archive and create an artistic/creative work.
The Gospel According To Wilson
The Gospel According to Wilson” by Ricardo Iamuuri Robinson is an experimental radio art composition that invites listeners into a rich tapestry of sound and language. The composition emphasizes the subjective nature of listening, allowing individuals to resonate with different elements based on their experiences, challenging audience members to embrace their personal interpretations of what one perceives as “gospel” or good news, which may vary widely. Robinson encourages the use of headphones to enhance the listening experience, allowing for a more intimate connection with the intricate sound layers and nuances. Overall, the work explores communication and interpretation, illustrating how noise can transform into meaningful connections and insights signals.
“The Gospel According to WILSON” is a radio art sound collage that uses excerpts from interviews with the late playwright August Wilson to convey contemporary messages. It transforms Wilson’s spoken words into a cacophony of insights, creating at times a chaotic stream of consciousness that bridges historical language with current societal issues. The work explores the tension between freedom and assimilation, reflecting the duality of the Black spirit’s desire for liberation against societal conformity. A rhythmic and melodic soundscape intertwines Wilson’s fragmented dialogue with innovative sound elements, encapsulating the emotional conflict of the quest for authenticity. Ultimately, “The Gospel According to WILSON” addresses internal discord and encourages introspection on narratives concerning freedom and identity within contemporary society, honoring Wilson’s legacy while transcending boundaries to explore the human experience through the lenses of race and art.