Synopsis: Luciferina is a laser and sound installation that explores how noise pollution can affect the phenomenon of bioluminescence[1], a form of underwater communication through light emission. It represents the beginning of approaching underwater soundscapes as well as the study of motion and vibrational aspects in water environments. It sets the starting point on the thinking process on particle motion as the additional component of sound other than the sound pressure level. The concepts and ideas emerged after realising a workshop on bioluminescent algae at >TOP lab in Berlin, led by Mirela Alistar.
[1]A form of chemiluminescence in which unique compounds manufactured by luminous animals are oxidised with light production (Harvey 1940, 121); The emission of visible light by an organism as a result of a natural chemical reaction (Haddock et al. 2010, 444).
Cymatics can reveal another level of visual interpretation of sound allowing further comprehension of how vibration can interfere with light transmission.
This audiovisual installation creates an immersive environment through a dialogue between sound and light exposed by vibrational phenomena, where the use of low-frequency sounds disturbs light visualisation. The input data is from underwater recordings, with a particular emphasis on motor vessels and propellers sounds. This installation aims to explore the concept of turmoil and disturbance in marine ecosystems. Moreover, it draws attention to anthropogenic noise in deep ocean environments, questioning their impact on organisms that may be affected not only by sound disturbances but also by changes in vibration and particle motion.
Check Eva Amsen´s article for Forbes magazine here
The majority of marine animals interact with their environment by sensing sound, vibration, or acoustical energy.
The information they get from the background noise allows them to reconstruct an image of the environment, illuminating these places sonically as they could “see their environment through sound” (Stocker 2013, 111).
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- Technique /Materials: audiovisual installation / MacBook Pro, soundcard Focusrite Scarlett 2i4, Enttec DMXIS 70570 USB to DMX interface, laser projector Cameo LUKE 700 RGB, amplifier Mark M360, speaker cones 100 watts 4 Ohm, Adam Sub 7 active Subwoofer, smoke machine, acrylic, water, mirrors.
- Software: Ableton Live 10, Reaktor 6, DMXIS.
- Dimensions (approx.): 4x 4 x 6 meters.
- Date: 2019.
- Locations: Openfield Creative Lab, Porto, Portugal; Top Lab, Berlin, Germany; Fabbrica del Vapore Milan, Italy (xCoAx Conference – Proceedings here page 315); Reboot Festival Lisbon, Portugal.
