Ceal Floyer, 'Til I Get It Right': Sound and Space

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As an artist, I explore works that reshape how we experience space and sound. Ceal Floyer, a British conceptual artist, is known for her minimalist and thought-provoking approach. She often transforms everyday objects and language into something unexpected, encouraging viewers to see the familiar in new and surprising ways.

'Til I Get It Right' is a sound installation that was exhibited in the emergency stairwell at MOCA Toronto. Instead of being placed in a traditional gallery, the piece occupied a narrow, functional stairwell, an area meant for movement rather than contemplation. The work continuously loops the phrase "Til I Get It Right" from a song by Tammy Wynette, whose powerful and emotive voice deepens the impact of the repetition. Isolated from its original context, the phrase takes on a new, open-ended meaning. As visitors move up or down the stairs, the echoing sound reinforces themes of persistence, uncertainty, and repetition. The stairwell itself becomes part of the artwork, transforming movement into an integral element of the piece. Unlike standing in front of a static painting, here, navigating the stairwell actively alters the audience’s perception of the sound.

This work is a combination of minimalist, site-specific, and interactive art. Minimalism is evident in Floyer’s use of just one repeated lyric and an unmodified architectural space. Without additional artistic interventions, the stairwell itself becomes central to the work’s meaning. As a site-specific installation, the piece is inseparable from its environment, as the stairwell’s structure and acoustics dictate how the sound is experienced. The interaction does not require direct engagement; rather, it is built into the act of passing through the space. The visitor’s movement, whether ascending, descending, pausing, shapes their perception of the work, making it an experience rather than a fixed object.

The phrase "Til I Get It Right" carries multiple interpretations. Removed from its original song, it can signify perseverance, self-doubt, or being caught in an endless loop of striving. The work dissolves the boundary between sound, space, and viewer, merging them into a singular experience. Through repetition and careful placement, Floyer transforms a simple lyric into a meditation on effort, failure, and the cyclical nature of progress.

For me, experiencing 'Til I Get It Right was deeply personal. The stairwell’s confined space and relentless repetition of sound created a moment of reflection, one that resonated with my own artistic explorations of space, movement, and perception. This piece does not simply exist within a museum; it comes alive through the movement and presence of those who pass through it, embodying the very themes it explores.

For more details about the exhibition, visit: MOCA Toronto – Ceal Floyer