Nicholas Hlobo Stitches an iPod into Art
This mixed media work by South African artist Nicholas Hlobo has iPod earbuds stitched on to what looks like a series of knotty scars. It’s on show at London’s Tate Modern until March 1, 2009.
Called “Phulaphulani,” or ‘to listen,’ the title of the work derives from the root phula, ‘to break.’ Hlobo says “to listen is to break down or process multiple sounds so that meaning can be understood and in turn passed on.” The work combines ribbon, rubber, thread, fabric and iPod earphones on Fabriano paper.
The friend who told me about it says the work comes together live much more than in a photo… Hlobo explains the work in a video here, also take a gander at the background image on the Tate site.
If you check it out, let me know what you think.
Image courtesy Tate Modern © Nicholas Hlobo. Photo: Mario Todeschini
Nicole Martinelli is a San Francisco native who has lived in Milan and Florence, Italy. She's written for Wired.com, The New York Times and Newsweek. You can find her on 
