Endangered Elements for multi-percussion solo
Commissioned by and written for Steven Wimberley, Endangered Elements is a three-movement work which brings attention to the current endangered elements on the periodic table. The endangered elements are listed on the periodic table in three categories 1. Limited availability, future risk to supply; 2. Rising threat from increased use; 3. Serious threat in the next 100 years; each movement is titled accordingly. Fifteen of the world's current endangered elements are used regularly in electronic devices such as cell phones and tablets; six of which have the serious threat of being extinct in the next 100 years. My hope is to bring your attention to how technology has changed our world for the better but may have serious implications for future generations. Is it important to have the latest and greatest smart phone every year? Is it wise to mass produce phones, tablets, and smart with small changes every year or two? What are the long-term effects of this in the world we call home? Food
for thought.
As a part of the piece audience members are encouraged to turn sound and notifications to the on position of their electronic devices during the performance. The sounds and vibrations to come in become a sonic part of the work.