Sounds and Sweet Airs

This project is an immersive synthetic sound ecology that features several mechanical ‘species’ that each generate sounds from everyday recycled materials. These creatures have different characteristics and are sensitive to different elements of the physical environment including temperature, humidity, light, sound and human movement. When distributed in a built environment, the creatures create an evolving soundscape that reflects the state of the space, forming a nature-like sound atmosphere that is gradually disappearing in our increasingly urbanised environments. 

The work rethinks our sonic relationship to the built environment by tapping into memories of our historically natural habitat and aims to evoke a more intimate sensory connection to the spaces around us with the subtle auditory cues generated in this spatial sound field. The modular and reconfigurable nature of the sound creatures not only allows them to adapt to different spaces and environmental characteristics but also to the different occupants. The design of the creatures affords the opportunity for occupants to customise and take part in the evolution of these sounds and to heighten awareness of the sonic potential of discarded materials around us.

Image: Sounds and Sweet Airs, by Kornbongkoch Harnpinijsak, Nong Hua Lim and Weichen Tang

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