Radio Chthulucene 87.9 FM

Settled in an innocuous bag under a table outdoors at the Warren Apartments in Warren College, “A Wonderful Rose(?)” is a small radio station that plays Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” on loop. It is available from 12-1 PM to 6-7 PM each day until the end of the last day. This is mainly to preserve the battery pack that it is powered by, but to also limit the chances that the radio station may fall into the wrong hands (not that it would amount to much).

While plain and boring, the placement of the bag and the choosing of the bag itself was intentional: it simulates settling down belongings next to the chair and enjoying some personal time, whether it is conversations with a friend or basking in the sunlight. In fact, onlookers are encouraged to sit down and tune their radio to the station as best as possible, and simply enjoy the environment they have.

“Engaging with the mundane is something I find particularly interesting. I like that oxymoron, interesting mundanity… In any case, it’s something we encounter almost everyday. Not everything has to be ‘balls to the wall’ exciting or exhilarating. I think it’s nice to just sit down, look around, and… question if you’re actually engaging with what it is that you are engaging… if you must.

– Cuong Nguyen

Video Playback Sample

Live Audio Sample

This rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World” doesn’t exactly sound right, does it? Best to listen for yourself, “though I hope that you didn’t have to read this to find out that something’s up.”