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Marcus Coates, Indian War Whoop, 2007 |
34.
INDIAN WAR WHOOP BY HOYT MING & HIS PEP-STEPPERS, 1928 REMIX: MARCUS COATES, INDIAN WAR WHOOP, 2007 This song is the most famous recording of Hoyt Ming and his Pep-Steppers, combining wild fiddling with energetic foot stomping and vocal whoops. The effect of Pre-Columbian America on subsequent music has been chiefly to act as a catalyst between European and African musical elements. It is doubtful if this recording bears much real relation to Native American Indian music - it is, rather, romanticism akin to that of Wild West movies. Responding to this affectionate parody, Coates’ photograph shows him and his father in a pastiche of the traditional photographic portraits of Native American Indians. Instead of the Wild West they pose in the Malvern Hills, their symbolic headdresses replaced by toyshop replicas. He describes the work, “Mr Coates and his youngest son on their territory in the West Midlands. As my father whoops I am reminded that as his youngest son, living on his land, I am expected to contribute to his council tax, TV license and perform a fortnightly shop at Waitrose.” Marcus Coates crosses the boundaries between shamanic ritual, live performance and film making. Recent exhibitions have included British Art Show 6, Liverpool Biennial and a solo show at BALTIC, Gateshead. |
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