Fundraising Initiative: Solid State Logic and Ox Sculpture Display Aid Sobell House Hospice
In the heart of Oxford, a unique public art project is underway, featuring a herd of life-sized and mini-ox sculptures scattered throughout the city. One of these sculptures, sponsored by Solid State Logic (SSL), a renowned professional audio equipment company, offers a day of recording and mixing at In-Spire Sounds, a local SSL-equipped recording studio, as a prize for a lucky winner.
The OxTrail 2024 project, which runs until August 29, is in aid of Sobell House Hospice, an organisation that provides palliative and end-of-life care to Oxfordshire residents. Over 100 smaller sculptures, decorated by local schools and community groups, are part of the trail, alongside the life-sized sculptures.
The SSL-sponsored ox was created by Oxford-based artist Rawz, who is also involved in the day-to-day operations at In-Spire Sounds. Rawz's connection to the project is personal, as a family member received care from Sobell House Hospice. Decorating the ox took Rawz nine to twelve hours over more than two weeks at SSL's headquarters.
Rawz hopes his ox will find a home in SSL's reception area, but most of the life-sized sculptures and some of the smaller oxen will be auctioned off at the end of the trail, with the proceeds going to the hospice.
An OxTrail app enables users to log the codes on each ox they discover and unlock rewards and prizes from the sponsors. In-Spire Sounds, equipped with a BiG SiX SuperAnalogue console, SSL 2+ interface, G Series Bus Compressor, LMC+, E Series EQ and Compressor modules, SSL plug-ins, and an SSL CONNEX USB mic, is one of the sponsors offering a prize.
The herd of oxen was launched at an event before being dispersed onto the streets of Oxford. The ox sculptures will remain in Oxford until August 29, providing a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to explore the city and support a worthy cause.
In-Spire Sounds offers affordable professional recording, mixing, and mastering services, and Rawz's involvement in the studio underscores the artist's commitment to supporting local creative endeavours. For more information about the OxTrail 2024 project, visit the official OxTrail website or contact Sobell House Hospice.
The OxTrail 2024 project, in collaboration with various sponsors including In-Spire Sounds, features exclusive rewards and prizes, such as a day of recording and mixing at In-Spire Sounds, within the lifestyle and home-and-garden section of the events they host. The app used for this trail also includes technology-based features, allowing users to log and unlock these rewards by scanning codes on the life-sized ox sculptures and smaller ones decorated by local community groups.
