Waldo Alexander is a session musician and regular collaborator at The Centre for the Less Good Idea as well as with William Kentridge.

In the artist's words: “In comparison to the vast majority of the country and the planet, I live in luxury. I'm safe. Secure in a comfortable suburban home, with a beautiful garden. My concerns over the future, my career, income etc feel trivial. Wrong. Like an indulgent privilege. While billions face challenges far graver than mine.

Thus, in my case, being tasked to draw on the restrictions of lockdown and to work within the "confines of my space" is not without irony. Physically, I am hardly restricted or confined. Constant awareness of this has stirred up deep shame and frustration with myself, and increasing anxiety over the uncertainty we're all facing.

Since I'm a musician, I began with the score. I've drawn on material from a larger composition titled ‘What's to come’, which I still need to complete. Given the circumstances, my ‘mood’, and the background of the music, I decided it would be an appropriate choice for this task. And the perfect opportunity for me to begin tackling my ‘restrictions.’

1. Never having learned to use recording software.
This audio recording is the result of my first attempt at using Logic Pro X (and I think it turned out pretty lekker).
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Gavan Eckhardt from Soulfire Studios for mastering the track, and for his generous advice and guidance through this part of the process, as well as to Adam Howard from Howard Audio, for setting me up with his old Mac and all its included bells and whistles.
2. Never having made a video.
The only device available to me for filming is my cellphone. And its camera only works in selfie mode. Which, having decided to experiment with stop-motion video for the first time too (with my piggy), was an additional restriction. And made me very cross. One day, I'll treat myself to a new phone.
3. Never having edited video footage and audio.
I downloaded Adobe Rush editing software onto my cellphone to complete the task. A computer, or anything bigger, would have been more suitable for this part of the process. But again, I think the whole thing turned out pretty lekker. And perhaps one day, l'll be able to upscale.
A huge thank you to William, Bronwyn and all at Team Less Good Idea for this valuable opportunity. I never thought I'd be able to come to grips with new tech skills so quickly, and I now have an abundance of new creative methods and tools to explore during lockdown.”

Composer & Performer | Waldo Alexander
Curator of The Long Minute | Bronwyn Lace