Kinetic Sound Sculpture: "Sounding Influencer" a new Instrument with moving loudspeakers - further development of the underlying pendulum model
Peter Färber, Annkathrin Pöpel · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2021
The kinetic sound sculpture Sounding Influencer emerged from a long sequence of developments. We developed a computer simulation in which 12 moving loudspeakers with their sound changes could be made audible and which made possible the planning of a musical sequence and a choreography intended for three dancers. Due to the limitations imposed by Corona, it was not possible to work with dancers. We instead transferred the principle of the 12 moving loudspeakers to a construction with 12 pendulums that can be pulled into a horizontal position again and again with the help of motors and then be released at a precise moment to swing freely. The realization presented a great challenge, especially technically. The effects provoked by the swinging pendulums are on the one hand predictable, but on the other hand also unforeseeable, speculative and surprising, always depending on the location in which the construction is placed. The result is an instrument that was tested with first composition and presented for three days at "FATart" 1 fair in Schaffhausen. The technical development is explained in detail. The theory of sound change with oscillating sound sources is expanded based on the sound results of the first presentations.