On the second week of experimenting with sound we were introduced to a new device called the Piezoelectric microphone (aka the contact microphone). This device, as intricate as it sounds, was truly a simple device that delivered astonishing results. Instead of measuring direct sound like we had done on the previous exercise it allowed us to experiment with vibrations on both large and small scales. At first I thought it would be easy to create interesting sounds using this device, however I soon discovered that it required a certain degree of creativity. I was focusing on surface textures where as I should have been thinking outside the box. The night before the presentation for this exercise I was getting a haircut and all of a sudden i realised that the hair clippers themselves were a great idea for using the contact microphone. It generated the exact sound I was wanting, a slow and melodic drone that I thought would compliment our group production. From there I began to experiment with rubber bands and even went as far as to create my own adjustable instrument that could change tune by twisting a 'crucifix' like structure to change the tension of the rubber band to deliver high or low pitch bass.
In regards to our circuit bending, our group all miraculously purchased the same electronic toys which was a real pain because we struggled to generate unique sounds. We worked out that by adjusting the resistor and capacitor on the circuit, we were able to change the pitch and speed of the sound produced into something more usable. This was great exercise for me because I come from an electrical engineering background at Auckland University. It was all about equations and formulas. This was the first time I was actually able to play around with the circuits themselves and break free from the constraints of mathematics. I never realised that such simplistic circuits from toys could generate such interesting sounds. We managed to turn our toys shallow, polyphonic-like sound into something out of this world and robotic.
The 'Jam' on Friday where we combined all our created tunes and melodies together was truly very interesting indeed. We never practiced before hand, and literally had no idea how it would all sound. It required a lot of improvisation and team work to generate a sound which was bearable to listen to. The amazing thing was that our group actually produced something which generated a lot of positive feedback. Not only that but during the production I discovered things which I never had noticed before which definitively worked in favor of our demonstration. I realized that the magnet of the hair clippers was interfering with the sub that I brought to uni and it created a very strange droning sound which really drew all our 'instruments together.' I brought in about 4 instruments, used 2 of them and created another on the spot. It proves to me that performance truly is a skill of adaptation. And this to me is one of the most important lessons I gained from this weeks exercise.
Our first exercise to become familiar was to create our own sound art. At first our group had absolutely no idea what we were doing so we set out into the city and recorded random sounds that we thought would go well together. Our original idea was to record to types of sound. One type would be used to convey the idea of nature and the other as construction. These 2 sounds contrasted to create the idea that human construction is taking over natural environments. However as we talked more with Zoe we realized that perhaps we were going about the assignment in the wrong manner. What set me on track was Zoe's quote: "Its not about the paintbrush, its about the paint." It made me realize that we needed to think outside the box. After roaming the streets I brought up the idea that perhaps we could go to the AUT workshop and experiment with machinery and other textures there. We experimented with many unique sounds such as nails falling to the ground, air vents and many other alternative sounds. The next day in class I was struggling to think up an idea that would fit with our original sounds. After listening to the sounds we recorded, closing my eyes and thinking, I thought up a whole new idea. It came from the sound of dropping nails and other debris to the ground. It resembled that of rain falling to the ground, gradually escalating to a downpour. I thought to myself that we could use the sounds we recorded and assemble them in a way so that they appeared like the natural sounds that we are so familiar with. Eg the train we recorded sounded like waves washing up onto the beach, the fan sounded like the wind blowing along the coast, and sand paper that sounded like actual sound moving along the beach. All in all, it strikes the idea that perhaps our environment has its similarities to that of nature. Although our surroundings may look entirely different the sounds that we are exposed to on a daily basis do resemble that of natures intention.
Because our next assignment is going to be revolving around sound, we were all given the opportunity to talk to a lecturer who had a lot of experience with the industry. We learnt many things about the basic principals of sound and also insulation. To fully grasp the concept of sound we were also allowed to explore 2 chambers. One of which was called an acoustic and the other an an-echoic chamber. The acoustic chamber is a large round room with an instrument in the middle that could rotate. The room was mainly used to test materials for the insulating capabilities and how they affect the pressure waves of sound. The main attraction for me however was the an-echoic chamber. Inside I was amazed to see that the floor itself resembled that of a giant circus trampoline (i assumed to prevent reflection of sound). The walls were also covered with hundreds of precisely cut out pieces of foam. In doing so, it meant that sound waves were unable to reflect and spread within the room. You could barely hear yourself speak which was an amazing feeling as I had never experienced anything like it in my life. I could compare it to trying to talk under the water, it just sounded muffled and distorted. I couldn't hear people ac across the room either. Sound was almost completely absent, as if i were drifting out in the vacuum of space. For me, it was a great experience because it gave me a grasp of how much we as humans are able to alter sound itself. It is much more than just vibrations escaping speakers. It is a science in itself that I am interested in exploring further.
Over the first week of being back from holidays we were gradually introduced to a whole new world that surrounds us. A world that we barely ever recognize in our everyday lives. This world to my surprise was sound. I had only ever interpreted sound to be art in the form of music. However over the past few days I have come to the realization that sound has many other uses, and that the word art has no boundaries. Zoe introduced the class to artists by the likes of Loren Chasse who explore sound on a whole new level than ever before. Something as simple as the movements of blades of grass and the crunching of glass can conjur up a whole range of emotions just as any other art would in people. However some of the videos that we were shown did frustrate me a great deal. For example, the video we were shown where a famous artist composed a piece on the piano. But this was no ordinary music, it wasn't music at all, it was simply silence. He wanted to show the audience that silence is just as important as sound itself. However, it just seemed like it was taking it too far. Everyone was expecting to see something extraordinary and what we were greeted with was 3 minutes of our lives wasted watching a man turn pages. I appreciate that he was trying to make a point, but in my personal opinion, as much as I agree that no label should be placed on art, I have to admit, this art was not my taste. It was more of a statement. Another example that I absolutely hated and despised was the YouTube video Zoe showed us where a woman videoed herself acting absolutely crazy, jumping around, and screaming in situations where you just would not expect it. She screamed and made a scene outside a business building, in the street and in other strange areas. But i ask, for what?? It just annoyed people. We were told she did acts for live shows and that she could only perform for less than 3minutes because she vomited after every act. To me this is a waste of attention and not art. After watching the video, I literally had no idea what the point of it was...
On the second week of experimenting with sound we were introduced to a new device called the Piezoelectric microphone (aka the contact microphone). This device, as intricate as it sounds, was truly a simple device that delivered astonishing results. Instead of measuring direct sound like we had done on the previous exercise it allowed us to experiment with vibrations on both large and small scales. At first I thought it would be easy to create interesting sounds using this device, however I soon discovered that it required a certain degree of creativity. I was focusing on surface textures where as I should have been thinking outside the box. The night before the presentation for this exercise I was getting a haircut and all of a sudden i realised that the hair clippers themselves were a great idea for using the contact microphone. It generated the exact sound I was wanting, a slow and melodic drone that I thought would compliment our group production. From there I began to experiment with rubber bands and even went as far as to create my own adjustable instrument that could change tune by twisting a 'crucifix' like structure to change the tension of the rubber band to deliver high or low pitch bass. 
In regards to our circuit bending, our group all miraculously purchased the same electronic toys which was a real pain because we struggled to generate unique sounds. We worked out that by adjusting the resistor and capacitor on the circuit, we were able to change the pitch and speed of the sound produced into something more usable. This was great exercise for me because I come from an electrical engineering background at Auckland University. It was all about equations and formulas. This was the first time I was actually able to play around with the circuits themselves and break free from the constraints of mathematics. I never realised that such simplistic circuits from toys could generate such interesting sounds. We managed to turn our toys shallow, polyphonic-like sound into something out of this world and robotic.
The 'Jam' on Friday where we combined all our created tunes and melodies together was truly very interesting indeed. We never practiced before hand, and literally had no idea how it would all sound. It required a lot of improvisation and team work to generate a sound which was bearable to listen to. The amazing thing was that our group actually produced something which generated a lot of positive feedback. Not only that but during the production I discovered things which I never had noticed before which definitively worked in favor of our demonstration. I realized that the magnet of the hair clippers was interfering with the sub that I brought to uni and it created a very strange droning sound which really drew all our 'instruments together.' I brought in about 4 instruments, used 2 of them and created another on the spot. It proves to me that performance truly is a skill of adaptation. And this to me is one of the most important lessons I gained from this weeks exercise.
