Art reflected in a drumbeat

By Takaaki Iwabu, Staff Writer

For two hours, one continuous drumbeat rocks an empty art gallery.

Two drummers, each positioned in one of two window bays, play in monotonous unison, seemingly oblivious to each other and to whoever might be watching.

But over time, the tempo gradually changes -- at one point matching the footsteps of those passing by; at another blending with distant city sounds.

As the sun goes down, the gallery windows take on reflections. Behind them, asymmetrical figures bang out the mechanical movements over and over.

It is performance art that uses minimal music to create an unexpected visual, with a touch of Edward Hopper.

"We wanted to make some art that talks about the intersection between music and painting," said Harrison Haynes, one of the drummers and a co-founder of Branch Gallery in Durham.

Haynes and Casey Cook, of Chapel Hill, are painters. Both play drums in bands.

The two performed "LRLL RLRR" -- the symbols for a basic pattern of alternating right and left drumstick strokes -- as part of last month's Third Friday Durham at Branch Outpost, a temporary space for installations and performances.

Haynes said the idea behind the performance is to "energize the space of this building and downtown Durham, which I think is in transition right now."

Story and photos by Takaaki Iwabu

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