An arsenal of oddstruments
By tyler on Aug 15, 2008 in Bands/Musicians, Bowed Instruments, Experimental, Homemade/DIY, Inventions, Metal, Nature, Noisemakers, Percussion Instruments, Performances, Strange Combinations, Stringed Instruments, Wood
Ken Butler’s “hybrid instruments” - Axe, crossbow, and assault rifle violins? Shovel tablas, easel guitars, umbrella igils, and toothbrush violas? Oh my! Watch Ken put a mic in his mouth and play his entire face!
From: Anonymous | Aug 15, 2008 | Reply
I saw this man’s art show live. Most of the items are not functional, but are made from interesting items to feed his ego. He applies more meaning to what he creates than what could possibly be attributed to these pieces of “junk art”. A large portion of his creations seem to be thrown together over a period of a day or so with super glue and a nail gun, one of his “pieces of art” is various items one would find on a beach picnic arranged in what might possibly be described as strange ways, and this display is told to be about humanity’s addiction and attachment to technology, when it very obviously is what this man saw one day while on ex. I do not think that you should add this man to your website, you have shown many people including myself interesting and as the title of your site describes, “odd” instruments, and other things of a musical nature. This man does not deserve the publicity that you would be giving him. He especially does not deserve the thousands of dollars he gets in return for allowing his collection of junk to be displayed in museums for the average person to gawk at.
From: tyler | Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
Anonymous, thank you for your interesting perspective and your compliments. I will continue to write about whatever and whomever I find interesting. Thanks for reading =)
From: Anonymous | Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
I understand, and I did not mean to say that I thought you should change your site in any way, I was just offering my opinion. Email me sometime if you like to have discussions about strange musical instruments, I have a few ideas that you might find interesting.
From: Ken Butler | Sep 11, 2008 | Reply
Hey Anonymous ……. To feed my ego?? Why so intimidated by what others do? If you are referring to my exhibition in Dayton (?), your comment contains many factual errors and poor observation on your part. Who said all my works were all functional? Not me. Who cares? Do you judge art by the amount of time it takes to make? You seem to have a very limited view of art and music. Can you name any object of any kind that could not be “played” by a skilled musician if properly amlified? My concert in Ohio with my instruments sold out the auditorium with a standing ovation. Although I respect your right to express your opinion, you seem to be inadequately informed about the art world. What’s wrong with art made from junk? It has been around for nearly 100 years.