Sonomatter 2017

Sonomatter is a sound installation and performance that transform the bioelectrical signal from microorganisms to sound. This work starts with building winogradsky column and making small ecosystem with mud and water; generating the electric signal with MFC(Microbial Fuel Cell) technology and measuring voltage from microorganisms which is formed in mud. As time proceeds, microbes will create small electricity as for it to operate the circuit and they will die when lacking nutritions. This process illustrates circular relationship between life and death. Interaction between organic matter and natural phenomenon – such as soil, water, respiration and oxidation, symbiotic relationship in microcosm- are to imply poetics of microbial sphere. This work also aims to explore the domain of energy-harvesting and clean energy generating. The audiences are invited to experience the sound in real-time microbial data from organic matters with a handmade bioelectrical signal-oscillator circuit.

Breath 2016

Breath is an interactive light and sound installation/performance, operated by human breath. As a wind instrument, this work has been developed to control sound and light with human breathing, made of DIY circuits and e-wastes. Breath uses amorphous energy from the human body and transforms it into different shapes: breathe to light and sound, vitalising an inorganic object and shaping the narrative. Human breathing is transformed into light and sound and the respiration is visualised by dimming bulbs. Performer’s breathing activates the machine from nonliving object and involves functioning.
The piece has been made of electronic junks such as old telephone’s microphone and old PC’s metal frame to illustrate life from death and to allude a transformable relationship between human/natural element and machine.

kHz 2017

kHz (2017) uses inaudible frequency (ultrasonic) and bioluminescent algae to explore the connection between life and sound wave. When the frequency of inaudible sound penetrates through the bioluminescent algae, each cells visualise the inaudible sound by glowing themselves. At the same time, the moment of shining also means the death of the cell. Because when the ultrasonic waves travel through the plankton, it works like a sonic gun, breaking the cells.

Note: The text above was written by the Artist. No modification was made by COCA.

Sabina Hyoju Ahn

Austria

Sabina Hyoju Ahn is an artist who works with various medium, sound and organic matters. Her research area is involved with finding hidden rules and patterns in natural elements and translating it into different shapes of perceptual experiences. She has broadened her artistic spectrum in South Korea and Europe and currently she is a Ph.D. candidate in Tangible Music Lab at Kunstuniversität Linz. Her works have been shown in various places including Piksel Festival (NO), Transmediale Vorspiel (DE), Mediamatic (NL), Athens Digital Arts Festival (GR), AMRO (AT), Lab 30 (DE), Art Center Nabi (KR), ACT Festival (KR), Daechung Chungjoo City Museum of Art, V2 (NL), TADAEX festival (IR), WRO Media Art Biennale (PL) and she has been awarded NIME (New Interface for Musical Expression 2017) Best Sound Performance.