The Sound for Trajectory

INFORMATION







Sound for this installation originates from space. It has been collected/recorded as data for space research and Earth observational science and transformed into a multi channel audio composition for Trajectory. There are two main sources: Chorus & the Sun

Chorus [playing on 4-6 speakers - depending on installation space] originates from data collected by the Cluster II satellite on the 9th of July 2001 (see diagram above) using a Long Wave Radio receiver. Through a process of transposition and filtering the signals (which fall outside the range of human hearing), the data becomes audible.

Chorus consists of brief, rising-frequency tones that sound like the chorus of birds singing at sunrise, hence the name "chorus" or "dawn chorus". Chorus at Earth is generated by electrons in Earth's Van Allen radiation belts. Once generated, the chorus waves affect the motions of the electrons through a process called a wave-particle interaction. Wave-particle interactions disturb the trajectories of the radiation belt electrons and cause the electrons to hit the upper atmosphere.

Chorus has been composed by shaping, filtering (removing unwanted frequencies to reveal the detail and texture of others) and spatially placing each sound within a multi speaker diffusion system to recreate the spatial qualities of the Earth Chorus within the gallery space. Although it has been composed and therefore treated within a musical structure, Chorus remains a true record of the original data.

Sun [playing on 2 of the 6 speakers – depending on installation space] comprises a mix of low frequency pulsing drones created with recordings of bubbles forming within the Sun (see details below). Sounds have been looped and filtered to create an underlying deep texture providing contrast with the higher frequency Chorus. The audio has been synchronized with the images playing on the sun projection screen which features a audio spectrum of the sound of solar flares – where this appears recordings of the solar flares have been used to support the image, providing both audio and visual information.

Sound from the Sun

Deep within the sun, in the swirling cauldron of hot plasma called the convection zone there are bubbles rather like the ones in boiling water. These, like the ones in water, create a noise. As they reach the surface these bubbles of sound squeeze the plasma so it gets brighter in places whilst at the same time moving upwards. By measuring this upward and downward movement the instruments onboard the Soho Space Craft have been able to record this as sound. Naturally the sound creates a very low frequency as movements occur once every five minutes but by recording this and accelerating it 42,000 times 40 days of recording can be compressed to create a few seconds of audio. (Source: ESA)



Trajectory of Cluster II



Representing Re-formation

A new video screen for Representing Re-formation has been created by Andrew Williams, Leverhulme Artist in Residence at the Space Research Centre, University of Leicester.





Video stills from the Installation at Thetford

  



Organisations involved in the Project



It employs the 3D laser scan of the monuments of Thomas Howard, 3^rd Duke of Norfolk, and Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, both in St. Michael’s, Framlingham, Suffolk, as the basis of an artistic re-imaging.

Both monuments were originally designed to stand in the Cluniac Priory Church in Thetford.

The project Representing Re-formation is a three year project supported by the organisations shown above. Dr Philip Lindley is the lead researcher.

The film is showing at the Ancient House, Museum, Thetford, Norfolk until the end of March 2014 as a part of Thetford's Lost Tudor Sculptures' exhibition.

For more information please see: http://tendeadsheep.blogspot.com/  (the official Blog for Andrew Williams)

Trajectory

Events at Embrace Arts planned for the 8th and 9th of November 2013

Possible publicity Image for Trajectory

I have just confirmed with Embrace Arts to hold a series of events over a two day period in November. These will take place within a multi media installation using still images, video and sound. Trajectory (working title) will display some of the material developed during the residency and will also provide the opportunity to present current research to a wider audience. The programme is very much still under development and is open to suggestions and ideas.

Trajectory - is a research and development project which will lead to more events in the future at a regional and national level. As a result this event gives scope for experimentation and the opportunity to develop new ways to communicate or comment upon research and the work undertaken by the SRC. This could be in the form of interactive sessions, lectures, discussion or as a contributing artist. I am not expecting that people will present their research through the medium of interpretive dance but hope that all working in the Space Research Centre will  consider how they may be able to contribute.

The title Trajectory is also open to interpretation and can refer to the 'Trajectory of an Idea or Project' etc. It has been choosen to present the most flexibility.  

There is a seperate page for Trajectory as part of this site and details/ideas will be posted here as soon as they are developed.