fromCONCENTRATE

research blog of artist John O'Shea

Mar 26, 2010

Organ Grinder

In considering gesture, interaction, sound and public space intervention the organ grinder (and his monkey) are springing to mind…

The wikipedia entry in this case is really excellent and says more than I could say – some highlights:

  • They apparently were not interested in keeping their instrument in tune or cranking at a rate suited to the music which was “programmed” in their barrel organ.
  • Many cities in the United Kingdom had ordinances prohibiting organ grinders. The authorities often encouraged policemen to treat the grinders as beggars or public nuisances.
  • the disappearance of organ grinders from European streets was in large part due to the early application of national and international Copyright laws.

(Image from Wikimedia Commons.)

Category: Blog, Final Project, MMME

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One Response

  1. will says:
    April 21, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    There’s some great stuff written on organ grinders in the book Victorian Soundscapes, if you’re interested.

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