Approximately 343 m/s sound velocity, several cubic metres of space, objects, people, λ, period duration and a large tangle of cables
The numbers ‘48 23 133 27 9 ...’ represent the dimensions of the performance space and will vary depending on the location. This conceptual work is different for each specific location but identical in concept. The architecture of the space is directly responsible for the sound.
However, the acoustic identity of a place does not depend solely on its architectural characteristics. Temperature, humidity, room volume, lengths, widths, heights, people, objects, shelves and much more influence the acoustic description of each specific place.
Equipped with a microphone, recording device and loudspeaker, the performer moves through the premises and ‘hunts’ for feedback by connecting the microphone directly to the loudspeaker. Depending on the size of the room or object in which the microphone (or loudspeaker) is located, the pitch of the feedback frequency changes. At the same time, all feedback is recorded with a handheld recording device. After about 20 minutes, all recorded rooms/frequencies are played back simultaneously. The result is a complex sound, analogous to additive synthesis.
‘48 23 133 27 9 ...’ where the main dimensions of the spaces at PROGR in Bern (CH), where this performance premiered. It sounded like this:
The speed of sound in air is c = 343 m/s at 20°C. The frequency is determined by the speed of sound and the wavelength.
c = λ ⋅ f
λ = c / f = λ ⋅ T
f = c / λ
where
f = Frequenz [Hz]
λ = Wellenlänge [m]
T = Periodendauer [s]
c = Schallgeschwindigkeit [m/s]
