Electromagnetic Sound Art in Basel ****
On the 3 March 2016 a “Rorschach Audio” lecture demonstration was presented at The University of Applied Sciences & Arts (FHNW) Basel as part of “The Sensorium of Animals” – a two day symposium convened and organised by Shintaro Miyazaki (of the group Detektors) and the artist Susanna Hertrich. “The Sensorium of Animals” took place at The Institute of Experimental Design & Media Cultures (IXDM) at FHNW (which, as it happens, is right next door to Basel’s House of Electronic Arts, the HeK). The symposium was convened to explore “electroreception in experimental and historical media and design research”, and to explore “the possibilities of technology mediated systems to alter the human sensory apparatus from artistic-experimental and media historical angles”. Contributors included Jamie Allen, Alvaro Cassinelli, Joe Banks, Gerhard von der Emde, Antony Hall, Michael Hohl, Martin Howse, Pedro Lopes, Barbara Nordhjem, Selena Savic, Daniela Silvestrin, Tom Thwaites and Jan Claas van Treeck. Among a series of very interesting presentations, particular high-points included talks by Gerhard von der Emde (University of Bonn) and the sound artist Anthony Hall (Owl Project), both speaking about the sensory capabilities of (some extremely cute) electric fish; and the events were followed by excellent (albeit separately organised) noise performances by (turntablist) Pedro Lopes and (guitarist) Mikko Savela, at Plattfon + Stampa.
The following day included a presentation about the Disinformation project, focussing on the “R&D” CD, and “National Grid” and “Stargate” sound works (which were all published in 1996, using electromagnetic – shortwave and VLF radio – noise from natural and man-made sources, including electromagnetic noise from live mains electricity and from the sun), and this presentation provided an invaluable opportunity to fly the flag for Disinformation’s artistic research into electromagnetic fields, etc. Special thanks to Susanna Hertrich, Shintaro Miyazaki, Martina Siegwolf and Zata Banks. Thanks also to everyone who heard “Stargate” at the Upplýsingafölsun Hlustunarpartý in Reykjavik on March 10, and everyone who came along to the impromptu “Rorschach Audio” event at NES Skagaströnd on Feb 18.
Rorschach Audio + Disinformation 