The Transfinite

I have seen Ryoji Ikeda perform live once, and while his clean beeps and glitches might be best experienced on headphones (at least that’s my opinion), the combination with his video work synchronized to the sound definitely creates a kind of hypnotic experience. 

Ikeda was asked by the Park Avenue Armory, New York to expose his work in the huge Wade Thompson Drill Hall. So if you’re in the neighborhood, you can visit The Transfinite, and if you do, I would love to hear about the experience!

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E13 000625

Sonic weapons are not just a thing of science fiction stories, they actually have been, and to some extend still are being tested and used by military and police forces. Being particularly careful of my ears, I hope I will never have to experience such a thing. 

That said, a good dose of sub (while wearing ear plugs) can be quite pleasing, and that seems to be what E13 000625 by Alberto Tadiello can provide. This piece of sound art, inspired by the before mentioned sonic weapons, comes on when visitors approach it and hits them in the stomach, emitting low frequency sounds. 

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Sound Monolith

It is always interesting to see a physical visual representation of sound as it shows us the waves around us we cannot normally see. Sound Monolith by Andrew Roberts is a nice example of this, using water as a medium to show us its resonant patterns.

Sewing Machine Orchestra

Eight old Singer sewing machines in a row are the musicians of the Sewing Machine Orchestra made by one of the two men behind La Chambre des Machines, Martin Messier. The sounds we hear are all created by the sewing machines. Apart from the sound this installation makes, the image of these classic machines put in a clean, modern environment is wonderful, and triggers the viewers memory and imagination:

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Bach on an Enormous Wooden Xylophone

OK, I normally don’t post any advertisements on Everyday Listening, nor do I publish two posts on one day, but it’s time for an exception. Check out this huge wooden xylophone playing a part of Bach’s Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben in the middle of the forest. 

The video is made by Japanese mobile operator NTT Docomo to promote their Touch Wood phone. This video sure grabs the attention. 

Stadsmuziek

If you can’t play the piano, you can build a machine that will play it for you. Maybe that’s what Akko Goldenbeld was thinking when he created Stadsmuziek. The installation resembles the system of an old hand-operated street organ, but now the resulting music is certainly a bit more ‘experimental’. 

I like the idea, and the fact that the system isn’t perfect. The screeching sound of the turning wheels complements the sound of the piano nicely. If only it could be played with a bit more expression..

Circulator

Jim Blashfield kindly sent me a message about his video and sound installation Circulator now being finished, and scheduled for installation at the Brightwater Environmental Centre north of Seattle’s Lake Washington, in Spring. 

It’s amazing to see the detail of the visual material. This realism is fortified by sound, which plays an important role in Circulator. We hear a nice combination of realistic sounds and dream-like musical sequences. 

The installation shows the artists impression of the water cycle. Watch the video to hear Jim Blashfield explain the installation and if you want to know more about the artist and his work, visit his website at www.blashfieldstudio.com.

Cryoacoustic Orb

Yes, another project dealing with the sound of ice. There’s something magical about the ever changing, granular sounds of melting ice we hear in Cryoacoustic Orb, by Jonathon Kirk and Lee Weisert. As the melting process takes several hours, the sounds slowly evolve until there is nothing left but water. 

DJ Light

DJ Light is an interactive light and sound installation. Well, it’s not interactive for all visitors; there is one person who can orchestrate the light and sound performance. Move your body and conduct the installation like an orchestra. 

The installation was created by Cinimod Studio. 85 inflatable globes shift colors according to the ‘conductor’s’ movements and a multi-directional sound system adds a field of sound to the experience. An impressive job. 

Job Field

Right now the earth is packed with snow in the Netherlands, but this picture was taken on a sunnier day. And even without hearing it this installation the image of Job Field inspires my imagination. A group of old-style telephone horns peak out of a field. 

Each of the telephone receivers of this sound installation - created by Benoit Maubrey - announces job openings in the earea. The job openings are downloaded from the internet and played ‘live’ through the installation.