Antenna
schets.JPG | Credits: Floris Vanhoof
Antenna | Credits: Floris Vanhoof
Ever-present electromagnetic waves that fly through the air (lightning, submarines, planes, phones etc.) are picked up by the antenna and translated to small electromagnets that make strings of the piano sing. How can a visible object relate to the huge invisible spectrum? A grand piano stands on its side, with a hexagonal antenna mounted on top. Electromagnetic waves received by the antenna are translated to electromagnets that make the strings vibrate. During a thunderstorm, while listening to classical music on the radio, lightning strikes became audible as cracks and pops.
This is how I became interested in the omnipresence of electromagnetic waves. Those waves are always there, constantly going through the air, walls, our bodies… I build a VLF antenna to hear lots of noise and man-made communication channels, for example, beeps from weather balloons but also ongoing warfare.
This endless noise source, even larger than the internet, inspired me to research and finetune electromagnetic waves and to connect them to the non-compatible medium of the grand piano.
By placing the piano on its side, the mechanism of the keys and hammers based on gravity doesn't work anymore. My antenna and coils that electromagnetically push and pull the piano strings hundreds of times per second, give the piano a new function. The resulting sounds, like harmonic glissandi, are unachievable on a normal piano.
Through Software Defined Radio, my antenna is tuned to 32 frequencies at the same time. These taps are converted back into electromagnetic vibrations via coils with copper windings. When Antenna is presented, I select 32 frequency bands with interesting reception specific for the location. I also choose which strings and frequencies are played on the piano. The dynamics, rhythm, and polyphony are determined by waves present in the air.
In a time when all things are wirelessly connected, this installation invites people to stand still and listen to how a mechanical instrument can sound at the end of the information age. To hear how an object that is not of this time reacts to omnipresent waves.
Ever-present electromagnetic waves that fly through the air (lightning, submarines, planes, phones etc.) are picked up by the antenna and translated to small electromagnets that make strings of the piano sing. How can a visible object relate to the huge invisible spectrum? A grand piano stands on its side, with a hexagonal antenna mounted on top. Electromagnetic waves received by the antenna are translated to electromagnets that make the strings vibrate. During a thunderstorm, while listening to classical music on the radio, lightning strikes became audible as cracks and pops.
This is how I became interested in the omnipresence of electromagnetic waves. Those waves are always there, constantly going through the air, walls, our bodies… I build a VLF antenna to hear lots of noise and man-made communication channels, for example, beeps from weather balloons but also ongoing warfare.
This endless noise source, even larger than the internet, inspired me to research and finetune electromagnetic waves and to connect them to the non-compatible medium of the grand piano.
By placing the piano on its side, the mechanism of the keys and hammers based on gravity doesn't work anymore. My antenna and coils that electromagnetically push and pull the piano strings hundreds of times per second, give the piano a new function. The resulting sounds, like harmonic glissandi, are unachievable on a normal piano.
Through Software Defined Radio, my antenna is tuned to 32 frequencies at the same time. These taps are converted back into electromagnetic vibrations via coils with copper windings. When Antenna is presented, I select 32 frequency bands with interesting reception specific for the location. I also choose which strings and frequencies are played on the piano. The dynamics, rhythm, and polyphony are determined by waves present in the air.
In a time when all things are wirelessly connected, this installation invites people to stand still and listen to how a mechanical instrument can sound at the end of the information age. To hear how an object that is not of this time reacts to omnipresent waves.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_6WdDX5RN4
florisvanhoof.com/antenna
Software defined radio programming: Dieter Verbruggen, doctoral researcher at KU Leuven
Electromagnets: Dr. Andrew McPherson, professor at Queen Mary University of London and inventor of the magnetic resonator piano
Woodwork: Kris Delacourt
Co-production between KIKK, Stuk, CCHA and Overtoon
With support from: KIKK Namur, STUK Leuven, CCHA Hasselt through cultuurculture project funding from Communauté Française (Administration générale de la Culture) and Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Departement Cultuur, Jeugd en Media)
Floris Vanhoof (BE) combines homemade musical circuits and abandoned projection technologies for installations, expanded cinema performances, films, and music releases. Translating the one medium to the other to find how our perception operates and which new perspectives appear. Part of my practice is to carefully dose sounds and visuals. Considering how much to show or let hear and what to omit. Subtly overloading our perception so our imagination goes to work. Looking inside as well as outside. Creating small problems that put large ones into context.
Floris Vanhoof (BE) combines homemade musical circuits and abandoned projection technologies for installations, expanded cinema performances, films, and music releases. Translating the one medium to the other to find how our perception operates and which new perspectives appear. Part of my practice is to carefully dose sounds and visuals. Considering how much to show or let hear and what to omit. Subtly overloading our perception so our imagination goes to work. Looking inside as well as outside. Creating small problems that put large ones into context.