Finding Nature’s Voice

Artefact for Listening Lab
2021-2022

25cm x 26cm
Electronics, Tree Stump, MAX/MSP, C++

Finding Nature’s Voice is an immersive sound installation where users are invited to electronically generate and modify sounds of nature on an analog synthesiser mounted on a tree stump. Starting out with bird sounds from around Singapore, participants then synthesise and create new sonic environments by manipulating a collection of recorded audio data. In doing so, a subsequent challenge is put forth to locate the sonorous chirps of birds that is beneath the layers of algorithmic manipulation.

Accompanying the set-up is a projection of an audio-reactive spectrogram that visually maps out the changes in sound frequencies as users root out the ‘bird song’ subjected to individual interpretation. By stretching the possibilities of listening through audio distortion, the interplay of various sounds triggers our sonic memory and brings about a heightened awareness on our auditory landscape, encouraging critical sound distinctions in a variety of listening situations.

Discipline: Computational Arts, Research, Sound Arts, Publication Design, Spatial Design, Environmental Design

Project Completed Under: LASALLE College of the Arts

Microsite: listeninglab.cargo.site / BTS: listen.record.explore

> Users are invited to electronically generate and modify sounds of nature on an analog synthesiser mounted on a tree stump.

> Audio-reactive spectrogram that visually maps out the changes in sound frequencies as users root out the ‘bird song’ subjected to individual interpretation