Diving in Aether

Where, when and who

09:00 - 13:00

07.06 Tuesday
08.06 Wednesday
09.06 Thursday
10.06 Friday
13.06 Monday

Location: WH.02.125 (Interaction Station) and the great ourdoors

Facilitators: Matthias Hurtl and Yoana Buzova

Participants:

Davydenko, Oleksandra
Doorn, Joost van
Kanters, Noa
Krivorukova, Simona
Mardhika, Insan
Park, Hansol
Petronzio, Alice
Pierard, Amanda
Reedijk, Sophia
Stofberg, Emilio
Wolff, Boris
Zgierski, Michał
Zygner, Julia

Surrounded by noise

Together we will explore the world of electromagnetic waves and their omnipresence in our lives. We will materialize the invisible, making it audible. With sound artist Matthias Hurtl (https://drowning.in/aether/research) (in collaboration with the Interaction Station) we will build antennas, hunt and capture satellite signals and other electromagnetic waves that fill the aether. The Æther is a medium that was once supposed to fill all space and to support the propagation of electromagnetic waves, an intervening substance through which signals can travel as a means for communication. We will delve into the narratives of the invisible signals around us that illustrate the expansive, systemic, and geological attributes of the technosphere. We will build antennas, learn about SDR (software defined radio) and conclude the elective by performing a signal hunting ritual. We will work at the Interaction Station and outdoors.

Unheard unfiltered Ambience

Let's call it hearing EMF, or using sort of 'microphones for electromagnetic fields' to expand our own human senses.
First, let’s talk electromagnetic fields. Just like gravity, these fields extend throughout nature. Since we have electricity and electrically-charged stuff pulsing all around us, there’s a lot happening in the electromagnetic field. But we can’t perceive that, because our bodies lack sense organs equipped to do so – well, until now, that is. Now we’ve invented devices that translate to things we can sense. Think of it as expanded sensory perception for the transhumanist, technologically augmented age.

Various artists have built electromagnetic detectors that you can use for just listening, music, art, you name it. We will explore some of those and what they let us hear.

Inductive sniffing

instruments

LOM LOM's Electrosluch an open-source device for electromagnetic listening. It allows one to discover sonic worlds of electromagnetic fields, surrounding our every step. Just plug your headphones & explore. It has two inductors, allowing for stereo audio signal. It also has an onboard opamp. It brings about rather directional, close distance, intimate listening.

LOM's Priezor is an open-source passive magnetic antenna for electromagnetic listening. It is very sensitive and capable of capturing faint atmospheric events in VLF radio bands. Compared to regular Elektrosluch, it is less directional and focused, and therefore more useful in recording ambient electromagnetic fields, where the overall "sound of the place" is desired. If built as intended has a frequency response: 20 Hz – 90+ kHz

artists

Christina Kubisch and her electric walks

Afroditi Psarra EMF and the body

Magnetoceptia, EMF in performance

Something in between

SOMA's Ether has a regenerating circuit and a demodulator, making it an actual radio wave receiver, not just an amplifier of low-frequency magnetic fields. However, ETHER can perceive the low-frequency magnetic fields as well.
The engineer writes that ETHER is very sensitive to any kind of digital circuitry that’s in close proximity. This is why I didn’t put an SD-card recorder or something like that inside. You also have to make sure to keep other electronic devices that you carry (phone, laptop, recorder) at least 30cm/1ft away to avoid interference, but ETHER definitely works well when you walk around with a smartphone and laptop in other pockets and bags.