OTO hosts the launch of Black Ark, presented with Edition Patrick Frey, centred on Lee Scratch Perry’s Black Ark Studios in Kingston, Jamaica. The evening features a panel conversation, a visual presentation, a curated listening session with commentary led by Perry biographer David Katz, plus sonic responses to Black Ark from invited contributors.

The 600-page book takes as its point of departure a visual inventory made in spring 2021 at the Black Ark in Kingston, Jamaica—where Perry produced his music from 1973 onwards. It documents the studio as both recording site and continuously evolving visual environment: mural paintings and drawings, and shape-shifting assemblages of records, instruments, often obsolete recording equipment and media devices, found objects, and collages including posters, newspaper and magazine clippings, and appropriated books—layers upon layers, rhizomatically entangled with the building, its furniture, and Perry’s life and persona. The premises have since been sold, and the book stands as a record of a world on the verge of disappearing.



Published by Edition Patrick Frey, Black Ark was conceived with Lee Scratch Perry (1936–2021) in its early stages. The book was designed by Maximage (David Keshavjee). Photographic documentation is by Marc Asekhame.

The evening will begin with a panel discussion featuring Martine Rose, Marc Asekhame, David Katz, and Chris Peckings, moderated by Canan Batur. Following the panel, Katz will guide a listening session that traces the book’s visual archive to music. This session will showcase significant Black Ark productions, elusive original vinyl from Lee Scratch Perry, and various archival materials. Highsteppers and Canan Batur will then present a sonic response to round out the night.

Exclusive copies of Black Ark will be available in the OTO bookshop

Organised by C-Studios and No Tax.

https://www.editionpatrickfrey.com/en/books/black-ark

PROGRAMME:

Panel Discussion
Martine Rose, Marc Asekhame, David Katz and Chris Peckings
Moderated by Canan Batur

Curated Listening Session
David Katz

Sonic Response
Highsteppers
Canan Batur