NO COMMENT is an investigation by Bridget Chappell into the science of phase cancellation — the phenomenon when audio waves work against each other eliminating inverse frequencies — and the theory of ungovernable space. Chappell imagines an anti-carceral speculative future of sound technologies, and tactical defence to ‘phase cancel the cops’ in material, political and psychic terms.

Through pragmatic studio and social experiments, the project is an attempt to rupture, silence, and then overpower the ‘sound of the police’. Chappell works with and from the social and aesthetic subjectivities of graffiti, rave and sound system culture, noise and experimental music, science fiction and abolitionist politics. The lapsed year between COVID-19 affected exhibition dates have seen the NO COMMENT narrative grow more acute in real time, including instances of State sonic force in events of the pandemic, and the deployment of LRADs against Bla(c)k Lives Matter protesters in May 2020. As a polemic, NO COMMENT addresses the State deployment of sonic weaponry, silence as political enunciation, and the role of artists in opposition.

NO COMMENT is the first solo exhibition by artist, musician and theory bro Bridget Chappell with exhibition design by Debris Facility. It is the latest iteration of Sound Series, an annual collaboration between BLINDSIDE and Liquid Architecture, established in 2014.

NO COMMENT (Together)
Throughout the exhibition period, a parallel working group, NO COMMENT (Together) will traverse the practices and theories of the project. Meeting twice in 2020, we will now reconverge and invite new and returning participants to join us in developing playful tactics, technologies, and dialogue on the evasion of State control. If you are interested in joining please email info@liquidarchitecture.org.au introducing yourself and your interest in the working group.

NO COMMENT (Alley Cat)
Thursday 18 Mar 2021, 6–8pm

NO COMMENT (Alley Cat) disrupts the traditional opening event format in favour of a socially distanced psycho-geographic treasure hunt through Melbourne’s CBD, starting at the exhibition at BLINDSIDE. Based on a bike messenger practice of urban disruption — an ‘alley cat’ race — participants collect clues using QR codes that lead to a reward of a loud, sweaty, distributed (non) spectacle: Powertrip, the club night at Sub Club. Due to COVID-19 capacity, please book a thirty minute gallery session in advance through Eventbrite, link here.

ACCESS

NO COMMENT the exhibition, is hosted at BLINDSIDE, on the 7th floor of the Nicholas Building, accessible by elevator.

NO COMMENT (Together) will meet in Bridget’s residency studio on the ground floor of Collingwood Yards, which has flat access from street level.

NO COMMENT (Alley Cat) will commence at BLINDSIDE then navigate through a series of sites over a 1km max radius at street level that are wheelchair accessible.

SUB CLUB is located below ground, accessible by a flight of stairs or by elevator.

FURTHER READING
Texts developed in conjunction with the development of this project offer additional context: Thomas Ragnar’s No Comment [Coda] and Bridget Chappell’s The Spectacle-Rave, both published in Liquid Architecture’s journal Disclaimer . The exhibition builds from foundations by Chappell outlined in To [Phase] Cancel the Cops: An Acoustic Science of Insurrection published in in Issue 13.1 of un Magazine.