Diddley Drone: mikewindy aka Mike Mitchell
July 5 – July 26 | Opening Reception July 5, 1pm–9pm
COOP is pleased to present Didley Drone by mikewindy aka Mike Mitchell. Diddley Drone is an interactive sound sculpture installation featuring 24 vertical diddley bows crafted from upcycled materials, arranged in a grid pattern on the floor to mimic the layout of a city. Suspended from the ceiling, hand-painted plumb bobs dangle above each instrument, inviting participants to set them into motion and activate the sound sculpture. This installation draws on the rich history of the blues and handmade instruments while reflecting the dynamic cultural shifts occurring in our city, symbolizing the simultaneous growth and loss of cultural identity. The interactive nature of the installation allows visitors to engage directly with the artwork, creating sounds that echo through the space and intertwine with others. As participants set the plumb bobs in motion and hear the resulting tones, they contribute to an evolving soundscape that parallels the ongoing composition of our city's cultural blues song being created by simultaneously addition and loss of culture(s). Accompanying the central installation, ten one-of-a-kind diddley bows crafted from recycled and upcycled materials will be displayed on the gallery walls. These instruments can be removed and played by visitors, encouraging further interaction and exploration of the diddley bow's unique sound. Each piece on the wall is a testament to creativity and resourcefulness, showcasing how discarded materials can be transformed into functional art.
Diddley Drone offers a multi-sensory experience that celebrates the history of the blues while acknowledging the ongoing cultural evolution within Nashville. Through the use of upcycled materials and interactive sound elements, the exhibition not only pays homage to the past but also invites contemplation of our present and future cultural landscape. This installation promises to create a meaningful dialogue among visitors, artists, and the broader Nashville community.
More about the Artist
mikewindy aka Mike Mitchell is an artist, skater, musician, poet, arts educator, and podcaster living and working in Nashville, TN. He is the Community Art Coordinator at Tennessee State University and a cohort 3 member of the Educators’ Cooperative. He hosts the Drawing South Podcast that archives long-form conversations with some of the best living artists in the US. Mitchell has been an artist-in-residence at Arcade Arts. He is the founding editor of The Young Art Writers Project an outreach of Number Inc. where he served on the board from 2017–2024.
Learn more about Mitchell at mikewindy.com and Instagram @mikewindy