On March 21, 2016, the Library for the Performing Arts (LPA) debuted Archives of Sound, an interactive audio installation inspired by collections in the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound (RHA). Created by the artist collective Kinokophone, the exhibit experiments with new methods of delivering sound and was designed to explore the scope of the archive while providing insight into cataloging practices. Organization, description, and presentation of sound is the theme for this exhibit, and listeners are offered a peek into how archival audio is made available to the public.

The concept behind Archives of Sound began with concern over how Kinokophone's growing collection of global audio would be archived and kept meaningful for future generations. Past collaborations with RHA for library listening events sparked curiosity about the inner workings of archives that relate to the user's experience. Cataloging methods and subject heading specificity for non-musical recordings were of particular interest. The exhibit, designed to use library space and furniture to deliver audio, is similar to an older sound installation titled Kinokolouge, which incorporated audio into a physical display to showcase sound interpretation through art.

The exhibit consists of three components:

1. The Stacks

The ends of the sheet music stacks have headphones and switches attached that allow patrons to hear recordings of selected music scores.

2. The Slide Box

3. The Card Catalog

Drawers in the top portion of the card catalog contain archival audio for recordings with ambiguous subject headings. The sound in the drawers represent the broad scope of the collection in the RHA archives. Users can expect to hear a Buddhist priest sermon, an interview with Judd Nelson and Anthony Michael Hall, Native dance music,  and more!

As a bonus, users will see RHA's Nipper, a model of the iconic dog pictured in the "His Master's Voice" record logos.

The exhibit can be found on the second floor of the Library for the Performing Arts (look for the black card catalog with Nipper on top!) and will be available through May 31, 2016.

Archives of Sound is made possible in part with public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.