A Year of John Cage

John Cage’s Song Books- two volumes, 312 pages, and infinite possibilities.

In 1970, John Cage composed and compiled the Song Books, which consist of three volumes, two of which contain the 92 solos for voice and one volume of instructions. My realization of this piece is meant to make it more accessible to any audience who wishes to experience the work, via Instagram and YouTube. It is an exploration not only of myself as an artist but a journey through change and growth as I dive further into this piece over such a long period of time.

February 12, 2021-February 11, 2022

John Cage’s Song Books

 

Days 32 and 53

Prior to the start of the project, I drew a page for every day of the year and wrote them into a spreadsheet. Every day, I perform the assigned page from the Song Book. The pages are not in chronological order, so the Solos are not presented in full at once. These are examples of some of the pages you will find.

 
 

Rules and Outfits

Every realization has its own set of rules. It is part of what makes this piece both familiar and completely unique, every time it is performed. One of my rules included picking six outfits each month, to be worn every day, determined by the roll of a die. Below, you will find the rules and the outfits.

Image Description: Rule 0 states: Realization rules will be created and followed. Rules apply unless the Song Book instruction specifies differently. White handwritten text on black background.
Image Description: Rule 1 states: This realization will take place over one year, beginning February 12, 2021, and ending February 11, 2022. Light blue text on dark blue background with white diamonds.
Image Description: Rule 2 states: Each day will be assigned a different page of the song books. All pages must be used before any page can be repeated. Yellow text on bright red background with pale pink circles.
Image Description: Rule 3 states: All pages will be drawn from a bowl and assigned to calendar days in one sitting, prior to February 12th. The first page number drawn will be assigned to 2/12/21, the second page drawn will be assigned to 2/13/21, th
Image Description: Rule 4 states: depending on the random drawing of the page numbers, some days will have instructions instead of performance pages. These days will be used as moments of rest. Light blue text on dark purple background with yellow st
Image Description: Rule 5 states: this realization will take place virtually over social media: Instagram and YouTube. The videos will be saved in chronological order for future viewing. After the entire realization has been completed, the videos may
Image Description: Rule 6 states: a new Instagram page will be created for the project (@songbookproject). Videos will also be posted on YouTube under the channel Abigail Whitman in their own playlist. Videos may appear on other platforms but it is n
Image Description: Rule 7 states: Each page will be performed in one shot, one take. Interruptions that happen will be a part of the realization. Shots may be different per page but may not be changed once that page’s performance has begun. Pale purp
Image Description: Rule 8 states: if a solo says it “may” be accompanied by a tale recording of a sound, a coin will be flipped to determine. If Heads, the accompanied sound will be used. If Tails, the accompanied sound will not be used. Black text o
Image Description: Rule 9 states: Tape recordings will be played through a mobile device. All borrowed material will be sourced. Gold text on pale yellow background with red hearts.
Image Description: Rule 10 states: Realization Rule #10: each page, being part of one of the 92 songs, will be performed according to its corresponding song’s instructions. If a song’s instructions contradict the rules of this realization directly, t
Image Description: Rule 11 states: Songs will be performed in outfits chosen by rolling a dice. On the 12th of each month, beginning with 2/12/21, six outfits will be chosen and assigned a number 1-6. Every day, I will roll a dice to determine which
Image Description: Month 1, Outfit 1. Abigail Whitman dressed in a red, floor-length lace dress with gold heels, sitting in an antique wooden chair with legs crossed in front of a blank wall.
Image Description: Month 1, Outfit 2. Abigail dressed in a rainbow long sleeve, jeans, and rainbow socks. Sitting in an antique chair with one leg thrown over the arm against a blank wall.
Image Description: Month 1, Outfit 3. Abigail dressed in green shorts and a green crop top with rainbow sunglasses, lounging casually in an antique armchair against a blank wall.
Image Description: Month 1, Outfit 4. Abigail dressed in navy blue off-the-shoulder top, dark blue jeans, and brown heeled boots, sitting properly in an antique armchair with ankles crossed in front of a blank wall.
Image Description: Month 1, Outfit 5. Abigail dressed in a pink tank top and blue floor-length skirt, barefoot, lounging in an antique armchair with legs thrown over the arm, in front of a blank wall.
Image Description: Month 1, Outfit 6. Abigail dressed in a purple sweater, sweatpants, and blue slippers, sitting on the ground with head resting in an antique armchair, in front of a blank background
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The Unheard Voice