Format: interactive sound sculptures and orchestral performance
Location: tbd
Dates: in progress
Current Status: open
Solar balloons are hand-modified into acoustic music instruments and produce sound when wind passes through them. The balloons, tethered to ropes, are held by a group of people who have been trained in the somatic choreography of an orchestral composition. As the controllers move the ropes in various directions or adjust their elevation, the solar balloon instruments respond by emitting unique sounds. This choreographed movement of the ropes creates a dynamic and improvisational musical experience, with the wind acting as the conductor. Each performance requires a sizable ensemble, ranging from 50 to 100 solar balloons and even more controllers. Music generated is entirely driven by the natural forces of solar heating and wind, blurring the lines between art, nature, and technology in a captivating and harmonious display.
A solar balloon harnesses the power of sunlight to generate lift. Constructed from lightweight, heat-absorbent materials like dark plastic or Mylar, these balloons trap solar radiation, heating the air inside. As the air molecules absorb energy, they become less dense and rise. This buoyancy, created by the temperature differential between the heated air inside and the cooler air outside, propels the balloon upwards. While lacking precise control, adjustments in exposure to sunlight can somewhat influence the balloon's altitude and direction.
Farida Amar, lead artist
Luigi Russolo's "The Art of Noises" is a groundbreaking manifesto that revolutionized the concept of music and sound in the early 20th century. Published in 1913, Russolo's manifesto challenges traditional notions of music by advocating for the incorporation of industrial and mechanical sounds into musical compositions. He argues that the advent of modern technology has expanded the sonic palette available to musicians, allowing for the inclusion of noises previously considered unmusical. Russolo categorizes noises into six groups: roars, whispers, explosions, scrapes, noises obtained by percussion on metal, and voices of animals and people. He suggests that these noises, when organized and orchestrated properly, can evoke powerful emotional responses and create innovative auditory experiences. Russolo's ideas laid the foundation for the development of electronic music and influenced avant-garde composers such as Edgar Varèse and John Cage.
Luigi Russolo's Intonarumori were mechanical noise-making devices designed to produce a wide range of unconventional sounds. Created as part of his exploration of noise music, these instruments featured various mechanisms for generating sounds such as roars, whispers, and explosions. Russolo believed that by incorporating these industrial and mechanical noises into music, composers could expand the sonic vocabulary and evoke new emotions. The Intonarumori represented a departure from traditional musical instruments, offering composers a means to explore the chaotic and unpredictable nature of noise.
