Gallery install of Relational Transmissions, Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2011.
Relational Transmissions. 2011. knit nest. speakers, generative audio program, aluminum tower
Relational Transmissions. 2011. knit nest. speakers, generative audio program, aluminum tower
Relational Transmissions is a sound sculpture that re-creates a song repertoire of a flock of urban Starlings using a generative playback program of car alarm samples. Through this sculpture, the behaviours of mimicry and imitation are explored by creating a simulated flock of birds nesting in a simulated nest. Through direct observation of a flock of Starlings in my urban neighbourhood I heard the Starlings mimicking car alarm sounds from a nearby car garage. This led me to imagine a world where synthetic materials, electronics, and computer algorithms replaced the flora and fauna of the present urban environment.
The sculpture consists of a tower reaching up towards the ceiling with a bird nest made of synthetic materials. Located inside the nest is a computer, amplifier, and speakers. The playback software has been programmed to randomly play the samples while changing their pitch and tempo. The speakers point down in the nest creating a listening space under the tower.
Sample of audio from Relational Transmissions
