We played the pond.
Using a series of electronically activated valves – to control the flow of pond water – rerouting the water enabled us to switch the series of waterfalls in the pond on and off to generate a composition that used the sound of the water falling as “notes”. The water was rerouted through conduits that were outfitted with tiny generators to produce small voltages that digitally transformed into triggers. These triggers were used to play audio from the Oakland Museum of California Natural Sounds archive and archival text referencing Hetch Hetchy project.
The volume or sound envelope of the audio was shaped using Hubbert Curve. The peak water just like peak oil data generates a Hubbert curve which has gained a high degree of popularity in the scientific community for predicting the depletion of various natural resources. It also looks like a waveform or sound envelope. We could use the curves as volume graphs of sound files
Hydrophones or underwater microphones as well as highly sensitive accelerometers will be used provide additional sound reinforcement that echoes the waterfalls.
sonicSENSE a collaborative platform created with artist Barney Haynes as a site specific installation for the Sculpture on the Grounds Exhibition at Montalvo Art Center, Saratoga, CA
