IC Interview: Floyd Hall

Idea Capital spoke a few weeks ago with grant winner Floyd Hall. His winning project will be an audio diary of how Black life and prosperity has been measured in Atlanta. Hall’s podcast Cascade Road will consider the pivotal notion of this Southside neighborhood as a Valhalla of Black wealth and achievement. The gap between reality and Hall’s own childhood memory of what Cascade represented for Black Atlantans will be treated in this podcast blending oral history and storytelling.

Where were you born? 

Atlanta, GA

What is your motivating factor in creating artistic work?

I’m usually trying to satisfy a particular curiosity about something—a place, a person, a feeling, a moment. And then…I try to interrogate that curiosity through an audio experience that usually acts as a document for myself and others.

Who are your influences?

Right now I am inspired by zine culture and mixtape (Hip-Hop) culture. I like the craft, intimacy and uniqueness of zines and the process/approach of how Hip-Hop artists make mixtapes.

What do you feel you are trying to communicate with your work?

I look at my work as a document with multiple voices. I just want to provide space for those voices to communicate a sense of context, space, history, and narrative. 

As an artist, do you think you work is political?

I think my work is intentional. But, I think everything is political in some sense.

What is the connection between protest and art-making?

I think there’s a connection between protest, art-making, and stillness. 

I’m reminded of paraphrased quote told to me by Dr. Michelle Hite (professor at Spelman College). This isn’t her quote, but she told it to me…

 ”…all living is political, but not all life is lived in protest…” 

I think about this quote often as we move through the mental spaces of making, protest, and stillness. 

What was the seminal experience that got you to the work you are making now?

I’m an only child, so I’ve always been comfortable talking to people who were older than me. I enjoy it very much, actually. I grew up talking to my godparents during Sunday afternoon dinners, and they always entertained my curiosity with interesting conversations. Those dialogues are some of my favorite memories…fond moments of simply learning about the world past and present through conversations. I try to tap into the energy of those conversations when I’m creating work.

What are you working on currently? 

I’m working on an audio project with the City of Atlanta/Central Atlanta Progress. I’m also thinking through extending my audio experiences into 3D spaces.

What is a meaningful way Idea can continue to support their practice during this challenging period?

I’ve thought about this a lot. I don’t have a clear-cut answer. I think the best thing Idea Capital can do is try to pass along opportunities (calls for artists, commissions, etc.) for artists to apply to in order to support their careers. Information and access to opportunities can powerful in times like this.