Interactive Artefact
Carried forward from Semester One, the second rendition of Intimate Acoustics brings all the found objects together on a central platform, with three points of distance sensing to trigger sounds. Being a second rendition, I wanted to explore the idea of proximity and intimacy through sound.
Expanding from the idea that sound is all around us, I wanted to explore the smaller sounds in life; the sounds of knocking, tapping, and the small percussions of everyday objects. I wanted to create an intimate sonic experience that encourages listeners to get close and listen attentively.
Nestled within a platform, are a selection of found objects – consisting of leaves and twigs from nature, glass bottles, trashes, and plastic. All these objects were chosen for the sounds it could make; Shuffling, tapping, knocking, scraping.
Each distance sensor is connected to four motors; vibration motors and DC motors. By going closer, the motors will start to move and come into contact with the found items on the platform, triggering a cacophony of sounds.
Interestingly, each object produces a unique, unpredictable sound once in contact with the motors - and it was tough to fully design the result I wanted. The instability of it all became part of the work, producing odd rhythms and unexpected sonic textures. .
By accepting the random, playful nature of these objects, I managed to produce unique sound patterns reminiscent of the sounds in daily life. Setting aside the visual, our attention is drawn towards the sonic presence of everyday objects we often overlook instead.
Hover over each image to listen to the sound each object produces when in contact with the motors.
From left to right: Leaf sweeping against surface, turning metal container, motor and bowl, solenoid and tin can.