Artist, musician, producer, and sound explorer Jay Crocker has won an Emerging Artist Recognition Award from Arts Nova Scotia for his BIBELOT instrument/installation piece. The award was handed out this weekend as part of the Creative Nova Scotia Awards Gala in Halifax, NS.

“Part instrument, part installation, BIBELOT is a self-composing set of sixteen ceiling mounted music boxes with custom-built drives, loops, lights, and amps. Creating a sanctuary space that reflects the natural constancy of change, BIBELOT represents a major achievement by one of the nation’s most exciting musical vanguards; a sonic portal of limitless combination that aims to slip you into infinity.” – Andrew Patterson

After receiving funding from Arts Nova Scotia to build the machine and undertake its first composition, “Future Fantasy 1960, BIBELOT debuted last May at Halifax’s OBEY Convention in partnership with Forward Music Group and the Anna Leonowens Art Gallery.

Crocker, who also helms the experimental electro project JOYFULTALK, performs with renowned songwriter Jon McKiel, and records and produces albums at his home in Crousetown, NS, then traveled to Charlottetown, PE in August to present the project at Art In The Open.

BIBELOT’s next exhibition takes place in Moncton, NB from May 18-June 28, 2018 at Galerie Sans Nom.