An Open Lab Experiment at PARK NIGHTS, The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, 2007.

Friday 7th September 2007. 7pm.                                                                     REVIEW.                

To use the materials of a building to sound it, to use  its architectural shapes to play it,  so rearranging our aural perception of it.

 The Serpentine Pavilion 2007, visitors, 12 channel sound system, contact microphones attached to curtain rail, accelerometers attached to ramp, Max/MSP software, GlueBox, MOTU Ultralite audio interface.

Method: to amplify the structure and invite vistors to

a)    move in so playing specific areas

b)    to record, replay and process those sounds into the space through spatial patterns based on the shapes of the structure.

 

Results: 

100 visitors shuffling shoeless down the wooden ramp creating aural vibrations grabbed by Kaffe and spiralled slowly around the seated circular audience innocent as to sound source. Delight as the performing audience appeared and comprehension arrived.  Non shufflers then guided to top of ramp, repeated the action, creating and adding to the sonic spiralling. New delight as seated listening non-shuffling audience could absorb the performance knowing.

Entire audience returned inside and to seating, volume and layers of music made from spiralling dropped to tiny quiet. Thick red velvet curtain pulled across, its action sonified. The music grew thick and warm before spiralling us out on a whirlwind to space. 

 

 Conclusion.

This public experiment used games that Kaffe had not yet attempted in public. The performance was an open lab situation. The audience were invited to participate as they wished. They were creative, not just participatory.

 

Sonic Rotations on a Ramp(2007) was inspired through the ongoing music for bodies research and collaboration with David Muth (programming), Sukander Katardinata (hardware), Mark and Mick (12 channel PA), Julie Freeman (tiny soldering), the Monitran Men (electronics) and the Serpentine Team.                                                                                                                                      

 

With thanks. KM.Sept 2007