Looking Outwards 04: Sound Art

The project I have chosen for this blog post is Pamela Z’s 2012 work “Fount”. “Fount” is a sound and visual art installation piece using projection and speakers (or a sound dome). The images displayed and sound projected are triggered by the presence of a viewer. With no viewer present, the image is blurred and no sound comes out of the speakers. Once a person is in the space, the image clears to reveal a beaker pouring water into a basin; the speakers play an audio of water pouring which accompanies the video. Although the piece itself is not generated by a computer algorithm, the intended performance of the piece involves a computer system sensing the presence of a viewer and setting the correct programs into motion. I think this piece of art is interesting because it requires interaction with a viewer, although the viewer only needs to be present. This sort of semi-interactive concept is intriguing from the perspective of an audience member like the piece is telling a secret to one viewer at a time.

Pamela Z, Fount (2012)