Villa Arson, 2005
Tectophonie
Sound installation, dimensions and duration site specific, 2005
(Subwoofer, computer and audio program)
In a wide indoor architectural space, a subwoofer plays briefly and intermittently very low frequencies (sine waves), a few times per hour. Each tone is tuned with one element of the building, which can produce a harmonic response (overtone) through the sympathetic resonance principle. Windows, doors, lights, radiators etc. can produce their own sound by resonant vibrations. Then it becomes possible to place sounds, responses, in different locations of the space by using only one speaker. The number of tones depends on the different elements' responses found during the tuning process. In some cases (windows, doors…), touching the sounding parts of the building allows feeling of vibrations and their modulation by touch: architectural elements become playable.