Categories
Art

Light controlled ambient music piece

The ambient piece acted as the musical introduction to a discussion between photographer Victoria Schultz,  psychoanalyst Heikki Majava and sound explorer (Me). The topic of the discussion was My Body and I – Synchronic Image, Vision and Sound.

The pitches of the piece were controlled with light dependent resistors. I had built two simple enclosures for the resistors, which I held in my hands. In a slow dance I moved about and explored the light and dark areas of the gallery, Laterna Magica, where the event was held.

Laterna Magica Light to Sound PerformanceVictoria’s photos were on display in the gallery, and I thought that light controlled music would bridge the media and weave the topic together. I had built a light controlled audio device a few years ago, which was perfect for the idea.

It has two oscillators, which can be independently controlled. I connected the stereo out of the device to a laptop, in which a modular sound processing software turned the pitches of the oscillators into synthesizer control messages. The other channel was used for texture and the other had more soloish character.

Categories
Art

Jungle of Sound

Ääniviidakko (Jungle of Sound) is a generative and synthetic rainforest/jungle soundscape installation. It was created for the chill out space of Manaus techno party, held in Helsinki. It was not possible to sonically separate the chill out space very well from the main stage, and it would have been futile to have a DJ there.

The totality consists of eight separate layers, which are in constant tranformation and rhythmically independend of each other. No natural sounds have been used as the source. A few irrelevant rhythmical and melodious elements are driven through a multitude of effects, which create a jungle-like soundscape, which never repeats itself.

The cycles are quite long, and the soundscape goes through impressions of night and day, relaxation and activity. On top of that stochastic midi generators drive a few software synthesizers, which simulate wind and water-like noises.

A collage of real jungle and rainforest sounds is used as a secondary source to liven up the synthetic main composition. These are mainly birds, which at times rise up to be heard.

Realized with Plogue Bidule

Exhibitions:
2008 Manaus party chill out area, Helsinki

Categories
Art

Resonant City

Soiva kaupunki is an interactive sound installation, which utilizes contact microphones to reveal the hidden properties of the resonant urban trash (Soiva kaupunki = Resonant city). The recording is from year 2002 installation.

The objects are gathered in an intuitive and improvised fashion, and hung by wires to make them float freely. Microphones are attached to the objects and their output is fed through effects processors in order to turn the characteristic sound of each object into an ever changing ambient collage, to which all the participants contribute by manipulating the objects.

Exhibitions:
2002 Lahden taidelauantai
2007 Olohuone, Turku