Now and Forever: Towards a theory and history of the loop

Loops have played a significant role in the work of many post-World War II artists, including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Andy Warhol, Terry Riley, and Ken Kesey. This book reveals how a formerly inconspicuous basic function of modern media technology gave rise to complete artistic oeuvres, musical styles, and scenes and subcultures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2023
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

Elvis Presley, Karlheinz Stockhausen, The Beatles, Andy Warhol, Terry Riley, and Ken Kesey are a few notable artists who have incorporated loops into their work. These short sequences of sounds or images repeated through recording media have proven to be a remarkably versatile and influential aesthetic technique in post-World War II art and music. Today, loops are considered one of the most important creative tools in postmodern art and music. However, until now, they have been largely overlooked as an aesthetic phenomenon.

In this book, we delve into the secret history of the 20th century, exploring how a seemingly inconspicuous basic function of modern media technology has given rise to complete artistic oeuvres, musical styles like minimal music, hip-hop, and techno, and even entire scenes and subcultures that would have been unimaginable without loops.

The use of loops in art and music has its roots in the early days of sound recording technology. Before the advent of digital recording, artists had to manually record and manipulate sound waves to create their compositions. However, with the development of tape machines, it became possible to record and playback sound indefinitely, creating the possibility of creating loops.

One of the earliest examples of looping in art is the work of the American composer and sound engineer, Terry Riley. In the 1960s, Riley began experimenting with tape loops, creating intricate compositions that were influenced by Indian classical music and the psychedelic culture of the time. His work "In C," which he composed in 1964, is considered one of the earliest examples of minimal music and is composed entirely of tape loops.

Riley's use of loops was not limited to his own compositions. He also played a significant role in the development of the psychedelic rock scene of the 1960s, collaborating with musicians like Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead. Riley's use of tape loops and other experimental techniques helped to define the sound of psychedelic rock and paved the way for the development of other experimental genres like techno and hip-hop.

In addition to Riley, other artists like The Beatles and Andy Warhol also incorporated loops into their work. The Beatles, in particular, were pioneers of the use of loops in popular music. They began experimenting with tape loops in their early recordings and used them to create innovative and experimental sounds that were unlike anything else in the music industry. Their use of loops helped to define the sound of psychedelic rock and paved the way for the development of other experimental genres like progressive rock and pop.

Andy Warhol, on the other hand, was a pioneer of the pop art movement and used loops to create his signature style of screen printing. Warhol's use of repetitive images and patterns was influenced by the early days of cinema and television and helped to define the visual language of pop art.

Today, loops are an essential component of modern music and art. They are used by artists across a wide range of genres, from electronic music to experimental art. Loops can be used to create complex and layered compositions, to create a sense of rhythm and repetition, and to create a sense of space and time.

One of the most notable examples of looping in contemporary music is the work of the American producer and DJ, DJ Shadow. Shadow's use of loops is characterized by his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create complex and layered compositions that are influenced by a wide range of genres, from jazz to hip-hop to ambient music. His work "Nobody Speak" is a classic example of his use of loops, featuring a series of sampled vocal loops that are layered and manipulated to create a sense of tension and drama.

In addition to music, loops have also been used in a wide range of other artistic mediums, including film, video art, and installation art. For example, the American artist and filmmaker, Bill Viola, has used loops to create immersive and contemplative video installations that explore themes of memory, loss, and the human condition.

In conclusion, the use of loops in art and music has been a significant and influential aesthetic technique in the 20th century. From the early experiments of Terry Riley and the Beatles to the contemporary work of DJ Shadow and Bill Viola, loops have played a crucial role in the development of modern art and music. While loops have been largely overlooked as an aesthetic phenomenon, they are now recognized as one of the most important creative tools in postmodern art and music. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and creative uses of loops in the years to come.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789041514