. . . silence of things secret . . .

is an evolving sound installation, involving metal percussion. Small transducers (speakers) are attached to their rear surfaces of cymbals and gongs, which are then controlled via a computer, giving the impression the instruments are sounding by themselves, without being touched. The harmonic spectrum of each instrument having been mapped out in detail, the installation produces sensuously complex acoustic sound environments that reveal previously hidden properties of these resonant traditional instruments. An ultrasonic distance detector allows audience members to interact with the installation, exploring the link between their own bodies, the physicality of the instruments, and their relationship to sound.

The installation has several forms; a version for the 2009 Garden of Memory walk-through concert included a 22-inch wind gong with three cymbals. Another installation for U.C. Berkeley's Cal Day event featured a 34-inch Chao Gong (Tam Tam). In May of 2010, a four instrument version was featured at the Galerie Axel Obiger in Berlin.

This project has been developed in collaboration with the Center for New Music and Audio Technologies at the University of California at Berkeley. The artist's CNMAT blog documents the technical details. In addition the installation, the artist is developing a variety of real-time controllers with which he can perform with these instruments in live concerts.

click here for video of installations

click here for mp3 of Chau Gong installation (10' 24")

click on pictures below to see slide show of recent installations

Contributors to this project include John McCallum, Andy Schmeder, Edmund Campion, David Wessel, Garth Powell, and Beau Faw.