Sound Wall

Interactive sound installation and experimental music controller that uses magnetic field disturbances to create music with strangers.

CONCEPT

By pointing electromagnets and other hand-held devices at guitar pickups attached to the wall, two strangers can begin an ephemeral musical dialogue that forms a singular, evolving composition in real time.  The installation was exhibited at Next Art Night in Los Angeles.

FABRICATION

The wall was essentially a deconstructed electric guitar and was constructed of ebonized maple planks, two guitar amplifiers and a delay, reverb and other guitar effects pedals.

SOUND

The project was inspired by an idea of how to play a guitar without plucking the strings. I've seen musicians use electric razors pointed at pickups to create interesting sound effects so I tried the same and delay and reverb effects pedals. Unexpectedly, playing a Clarisonic face brush with a low battery (indicated by 5 short pulses) sounded incredible.