Prayers for Art, 2010

Prayers for Art - Such writers, curators and artists as Diann Bauer & Suhail Malik, Rana Dasgupta, Clare Davies, Khwezi Gule, Kevin Hamilton, Hassan Khan, Brian Kuan Wood, and What, How and for Whom (WHW) were invited to submit short "prayers" about their hopes and desires for the future of art. These prayers subsequently became the basis for vocal percussion pieces by New York beat-boxer Kenny Muhammad, who musically interpreted the particular tone and aspiration of each prayer in an empty theatre space. American filmmaker Adam Carrigan captured the performances.

Kenny Muhammad & Adam Carrigan

Kenny Muhammad

1968, New York. Lives and works in New York. Kenny is a beatboxer commonly referred to as the "Human Orchestra", a moniker he affirmed by performing Kenny's Joy with the New York Symphony Orchestra. Kenny is known for using a technique called the "wind technique", which heavily utilises breathing as an element in the beatbox routine. This creates a unique audible effect of inhaling and exhaling while simultaneously creating percussion sounds with the mouth. Kenny has worked with many other artists, a large proportion from outside the genres of beatbox, hip-hop and rap, including Public Enemy, Mindless Self-Indulgence, Matisyahu, Squarepusher, The X-Ecutioners, Regina Belle, The Gap Band, Maxwell, Angie Stone, Stevie Wonder, Vernon Reid and Take 6. Kenny has also collaborated extensively with his fellow beatboxer Rahzel.

Adam Carrigan

1972, Osage, USA. Lives and works in Philadelphia. Adam Carlton Carrigan is an artist, film-maker and writer living in Philadelphia. Working with the Liberian community of Philadelphia, he co-wrote and was the cinematographer for the films Legalization and Once Upon A Lie which screened throughout the United States and West Africa. Aside from his narrative work, he has worked on a number of music videos for bands including Mahogany, Pink Skull and the prolific recording artist Robert Pollard. His music video for 10lb Moustache by the band Man Man was chosen for Vice Magazine's Ten Year Anniversary DVD. Recently his work was exhibited in Philadelphia's Love Park as part of InLiquid's Welcome House for Design Philadelphia 2009. Currently he is working on a documentary focusing on the Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia and a narrative feature titled La Méduse Rouge.