Audio Bounce (sound corridor)
Darryl Georgiou, Tom Roope, Andrew Allenson, Nick Rothwell, Rolf Gehlhaar · Coventry University Open Collections (Coventry university) · 2009
A reactive sound installation commissioned for the Public Gallery, funded by Arts Council England and Sandwell MBC. Situated as a permanent work in the building designed by Will Alsop (National Lottery funded). The commission was put to international tender. Georgiou and colleagues were successful. The artwork is located in a 20m long, 3D digital environment. The actions made by visitors entering and leaving are made perceptible through sound bounced forwards and backwards through the corridor. Users record sound through a microphone to personalise the experience or choose pre-recorded audio. The project has become a primary reference point for work that privileges the kinetic and physical nature of audio as opposed music. A unique characteristic being the use of ‘audio in reverse’, as noise is returned towards the visitor allowing multiple users to ‘play’ with self-generated sound in space. This represents an unrepeatable experience that has been instrumental in developing new practices and approaches to multiuser interaction. Georgiou received external funding from Grants for the arts (ACE) and a Contract For Art Commission (SMBC/ACE). He authored both submissions with CSAD being the recipient of 40k funding. Georgiou led and curated the project in association with CU staff and artists. The content team included: Rothwell, Roope and Gehlhaar. Collaborative workshops were conducted with school children to inform design method and process. The Public is in Sandwell. Its mission statement is to enhance the lives of the local community through the arts, widening access and participation in one of the poorest UK boroughs. Independent feedback suggests Audio Bounce has developed audiences (250,000 upto August 2011) and contributed to social well-being. The project is innovative and sustainable having been designed to update content. An environmentally friendly approach achieved energy savings as acknowledged by Thermie (Museums Energy Efficiency & Sustainability). Georgiou became Chair the Digital Expert Group in 2012.