(ex)tension

Our idea starts from the necessity to investigate space, to explore its features, finding the potential in acoustic properties and using them as a starting point for our research. How is it possible to create a three-dimensional and analogue sound system? How are we able to work with instruments that can move sound in space? Taking advantage from the use of customized industrial items, we will have the possibility to create three-dimensional audio images controlled and designed in real time by the performers. The concept that interests us is the single percussive impulse as music creator. We can change surface, speed of execution but the impulse is at the core of every percussive action.

Solenoids will be our artistic medium and the interesting aspect will be the relationship between us as human performer and the possibilities that arise through our interaction with a complex mechanical instrument. Thus we see in this instrument an extension of our percussive possibilities. Our work will base on the theory by Marshall McLuhan the extension of man. The idea that technology is an extension of the human organism is encountered regularly in the history of thought about technology. The idea, in its most basic form, is that technical objects extend the human organism by replicating or amplifying bodily and mental abilities. During the mechanical ages we had extended our bodies in space. Today, after more than a century of electric technology, we have extended our central nervous system itself in a global embrace, abolishing both space and time as far as our planet is concerned. Rapidly, we approach the final phase of the extensions of man – the technological simulation of consciousness, when the creative process will be collectively and corporately extended to the whole of human society, much as we have already extended our senses and our nerves by the various media (McLuhan, Understanding Media, 1964, p. 19)..

space setting

In this piece the frontal playing direction is abandoned. (ex)tension is an immersive sound experience that invites the audience to take a seat in the middle of the instrument itself. Surrounded by sound we invite the spectator to join the action as close as they want, dissolving all boundaries to create an inclusive work of art. The project involves the conception and realization of an interactive space.

The audience can move free through space and explore the acoustic space be itself. The sound will travel around and trough the performance space, turning the space itself to an instrument since the acoustic environment like echoing etc. will be naturally implemented in the musical piece. We will perform an active human surround system without the need of any speakers. We will work in a totally acoustic situation. The challenge will be to find solutions to simulate effects such as timber variations by using only Solenoids and manipulating the different surfaces of the materials.

The variety of small surfaces will allow different musical color and pitches. (ex)tension has side specific properties that gives us the possibility to make this project unique and totally focused on the enhancement of every single place, museum, factory where it will be presented by using materials and object related to the actual location.