Case Sylvester
300-Word Response: Project #3
What question/problem did you choose?
I chose to address the question: How has the electric guitar lost its cultural and stylistic significance in modern music, and what does that mean for the future of the instrument? My sculpture will explore this by depicting an electric guitar melting into a puddle, symbolizing the decline in its prominence within contemporary music culture. I want to create the guitar and the melted puddle out of all wood, and then include the equipment (strings, buttons, etc) out of metal. I would also love to paint this project as well to give it a bright pop color like most electric guitars have.
Why did I choose this topic and why does it matter to me?
The electric guitar has been a symbol of rebellion, self-expression, and musical innovation for as long as it has been around. As a fanatic of all different kinds of music, especially rock and roll, I feel a connection to the electric guitar and what it has stood for throughout its history. However, in the modern music industry, it’s increasingly overshadowed by electronic instruments, digital production, and auto-tune. This shift, to me, represents a loss of the raw, emotional connection that the electric guitar embodies. The instrument’s gradual fading from mainstream music concerns me because it signifies not just a shift in technology, but in the way we connect with and express emotion through sound.
Explanation of the problem:
The electric guitar, once central to genres like rock, blues, and metal, now finds itself on the periphery of popular music. As technology advances, music is becoming more synthesized and reliant on digital production, leaving the playing of the physical guitar behind as less of a dominant tool in the creation of contemporary hits. This shift affects the identity of musicians and fans alike, as the guitar once represented a raw talent.
10 Tangible people/places/things associated with this problem:
- Jimi Hendrix
- Stratocaster & Les Paul
- Guitar Hero (video game)
- Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)
- Pop Music Charts
- Acustic Guitars
- The Rolling Stones
- TikTok & Social Media Trends
- Synthesizers and Drum Machines
- Music Streaming Services
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
This problem resonates with me because it represents a larger issue in how we view music and its evolution—what is lost when traditional instruments fade into the background? I also want to honor the guitar and everything it stands for in this project, along with all things that no longer take center stage because of the digital age.