Category: LookingOutwards-04

Looking Outwards 04: Sound Art

The project that grabbed my attention immediately was FORMS–String quartet created by Playmodes. One of the reasons is because I come from a strings background, but as I skimmed through the articles the simple and geometric design really matched my eye, which seemed to be designed similarly with the aesthetic I have been exploring a lot recently.

I think it’s fascinating that the performance is both visual and sonic, and that the performer’s playing of the instrument is converted to a visual pattern in real time. The visuals also reminded me of the mobile instrument games I used to play, so it was even more entertaining. This program seem to use size, shape, and color as a variable to express the different instruments rhythm and dynamic, which I assume is taken into programming as the decibels and pitch is measured from the recording of the performance. I think the choice of using simple geometric shapes and gradient colors show the artist’s attempt to combine modern design aesthetics and classical music to invite a wider variety of audiences to this source of entertainment. 

Looking Outwards- Sound

The project that I decided to look at was Expressions, by Kynd and Yu Miyashita. I found the video to be captivatingly intricate, and I was shocked when I read that it was all digitally rendered. I was even more shocked when I found out it was rendered in 2D, using various layering and shading techniques as opposed to 3D vectors. 

The images themselves were really cool, but the soundscape that went with it really elevated the experience. A brief warning if you are going to watch it, make sure to turn your sound down. I got blasted with an intense high pitched screech in my ear right off the bat (which was cool… but scary). I thought the interactivity between the sound and visuals was really compelling.

When reading about the piece at: https://www.creativeapplications.net/sound/expressions-paint-and-pixel-matiere-at-micro-scale/

I learned that the developer used WebGL which is a JavaScript api, made to render 2D and 3D graphics, and then went in on TouchDesigner to add detail. When looking at WebGL samples, I found that they are very similar to what we are doing now. I also know that we can use WebGL in p5.js, so maybe they’re the same thing? It was hard to find information on it. But anyways, it was interesting to see what I could do in the future if I keep up with programming.

LO: Sound Art

Video of Artwork

Artist: Abe Pazos and Mei-Fang Liau

SketchDaily0018, created in 2017

This sound art piece created by Abe Pazos and Mei-Fang Liau interests me because through the use of light, movement, and line weight, the visualization of the sounds almost creates a three dimensional space that captures viewers. I think it’s so interesting how these artists were able to create a visualization of a sound that is so fitting for it. In this piece, I notice that whenever there is a vibration in the sound, the lines begin to flash. How I imagine them doing this is somehow creating a link between the vibrato to correspond to the lights flashing. This element adds a more significant and unique meaning to the art because those patterns can only be displayed when it is played with this sound.

Looking at Sound Art

The work called ‘A Natural History of Networks / SoftMachine’ by Ralf Baecker really captured my attention because of his process and inspirations for his piece.

This work uses code to control liquid metal that changes with the sound. What is really interesting is this art piece is suppose to play with the dynamic of the contrast of hard logical machines with free flowing natural materials, which oddly works so seamlessly. It really emphasizes the chaos and systematic traits nature can often have, which was clearly intentional because Baecker’s background includes research in biomimicry.

A video of ‘A Natural History of Networks / SoftMachine’

This piece works by using a closed system where the machine senses and analyzes the metallic liquid and continues to reacts to its own input which creates a feedback loop. Thus creating this “homeostatic” quality.

To learn more look at this link: https://www.creativeapplications.net/maxmsp/a-natural-history-of-networks-softmachine-a-speculation-about-a-heterogeneous-technological-culture/

LO 4: Sound Art

Forty-Part Motet (2001)

For this week’s Looking Outwards, I chose Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller’s Forty-Part Motet Sound Installation.


The British-Columbia based Artists created this Installation by having the Salisbury Cathedral Choir sing Thomas Tallis’ 1573 “Spem in Alium.” With the recordings in place, 40 Speakers were set up in groups of 5 and separated by Musical Group.


By moving between the Speakers and within the area, a person is about change their perception of the Track – feeling and hearing it dynamically morph.
I admire the Work’s simplicity and ease of access.


The Artists just used Speakers to create their Sound Art, relying on already utilized Algorithms to make this.


Furthermore, the music they chose to record and convey through the Speakers is beautiful.


Finally, the Artists were right in saying that the Installation evokes a spiritual/emotional aspect. This aspect is shown through the Music itself and no doubt it is much more pronounced in person.


Here is their website, this specific work, the video, works, and their about section.

LO4: Sound Art

I examined a project by the experience designer Mileece. Called Sonic Art, Mileece attaches an electrode to the leaves of plants, which conducts the electro emissions naturally coming out of the plant. The electrode connects to an amplifier and then to a computer, which analyzes the emissions and transforms it into music. Mileece describes herself as simply a “facilitator” in the project, rather than an artist herself, transforming the natural electrical rhythms of plants into music. I admire the concept of bridging the perceived gap between humans and the natural world; after all, humans are animals first and foremost.
This project connects humans with the world’s flora. In addition, the project brings a relaxing and transformative experience in the world of environmental design.

Mileece, sonic art, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYU18eiiFt4

LO4

Link of the : https://vimeo.com/43213162
Author: i.m. klif
Title: Vector rescanning using MaxMSP
Year Created: 2012

The project is called Vector rescanning using MaxMSP. There is a machine where you can have motions inside which can be scanned: for example you can put your hands inside and have them moving. A camera would record your motion and send the signals to a synth, and thus will produce sounds according to the motion of the hands. I really admire how we can instantaneously convert motion into music, which is converting visual element to audio. This is amazing because it shows the possibility of how visual can link to audio even though they are usually considered as two totally different senses. I think the creator’s artistic sensibilities are shown through their improvisation on their gestures. Improvisation is an extremely important aspect of music. Performers tell us their interpretation of how the music flows and continues through their motions, so it is amazing that improvisation can be realized through this technology.

conniek – 04 – LO

I think Ryoji Ikeda’s The Planck Universe is a project I admire because of the vivid contrasting colors of white, black, grey, and red. The number of details in this imposing large-scale audiovisual installation is phenomenal. The small blood-red pixels help make an emphasis to the audience about the concept of Plank length. The piece makes the person looking at it seem like a part or fragment of the cosmos in the monochromatic background filled with abstract red speckled pixels. Using code and sound, he creates visual abstract motions to release his artistic point of view and ideas that avoid a philosophical perspective so that the audience is able to have their own opinions and experience.

“Composition is the most important element”: Ryoji Ikeda in Taipei

Looking Outwards: 04

Sound Art

The project that caught my attention was The Product – Soundmachines, Creative Sound Production Device 2011. This video shows three units, which resembles a standard record player, translate concentric visual patterns into control signals for further processing in any music software. Each rotation of the record discs holds three tracks, and they can be synced into a sequencer. This project was created by a producer/sound designer Yannick Labbé. I was fascinated by the sounds produced by the record discs, it had a techno feel to it, and it was interesting watching the visual/sound elements come together to create this ensemble.

LO-04

I looked into the FORMS String Quartet. As someone who is very much inspired by and interested in music, I’ve always looked for ways to combine visual art with music, beyond just the performative nature of music. Their website states that they make use of a spectral synthesis algorithm; to my understanding, the algorithm models speech, music, and other sounds by combining multiple sine wave harmonics. I believe Playmodes and the FORMS String Quartet create a perfect fusion between music and visual art, as well as digital and acoustic media, and in a way, it reminds me of the condition synesthesia, in which affected individuals associate sounds, visuals, and other input with colours.

FORMS – String Quartet