New Vancouver Art Gallery exhibit a D.I.Y. masterpiece

It's not everyday you go to the Vancouver Art Galleryto listen to some records.

But that's just what B.C. multimedia artist Kevin Schmidt wants you to do for his first solo exhibit at the gallery.We Are the Robotsis an interactive installation that opensSaturday, both inside and outside the gallery.

The art work DIYHifi is the cornerstone of the exhibit, which reimagines the typical experience of listening to music at home as a public sculpture. Stereo speakersthree-metres tall and an amp will fill a listening room with music provided by gallery patrons.

"I used plans from the internet and how-to books from the 70s and 80s," saidSchmidt, when askedhow he built the speakers.

Bring your records

Visitors are encouraged to bring vinyl music records and play them on the giant speakers as part of the installation.

Along the gallery's exterior walls, Schmidt'sLED installation,RGBBeg Cycle, will illuminateHowe,Hornby,Georgia and Robson streets. The LEDlight strips will come alive with colour every time someone plays the electronic keyboards installed on the galley's third floor.

"I essentially made the gallery into a kind of light organ," said Schmidt. The keyboards are attached to a miniature of the gallery, which will light up as well to correspond with the LED strips outside.

The washing machine

And finally, a washing machine is utilized inSchmidt's work How to Make an Off-Grid Hydroelectric Light Show. The art piece uses the repurposed washing machine to generate electricity.

The washing machine sculpture is accompanied by a series of instructional videos that show gallery patrons how to build their own washing machine generator.

Schmidt said he spent a lot of time as a child hiking with his family,which formed his love of nature. He also has a passion for music, and he said fusing nature and music has been the focus of his career.

"Both of those things, are things I feel immerse you," said Schmidt. "I've been trying to explore this feeling of being within a spectacle."

With files from Lisa Christiansen and On the Coast

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