Reconfiguring the Landscape at IRCAM

ABOUT

The Norwegian Artistic Research Project "Reconfiguring the Landscape" is initiated by composer Professor Natasha Barrett at the Norwegian Academy for Music in Oslo. The project investigates how 3-D electroacoustic composition and sound-art can evoke and provoke a new awareness of our outdoor sound environment. The work combines composition, acoustics, architecture and new technology.

The investigations are carried out through group and individual work involving composers, architects, engineers and scientists.


Reconfiguring the Landscape at IRCAM is the third physical meeting of three of the project members Nadine Schütz (IRCAM) and Andrew Knight-Hill (University of Greenwich) and Natasha Barrett (Norwegian Academy for Music in Oslo).


The group met at IRCAM in Paris from November 18th - 28th, invited and supported by IRCAM who hosts project member Nadine Schütz, to embark on an intensive period of industrial site audio investigation, workshops, artistic creation, public panel discussions and listening sessions. With the assistance of the latest tools for sound capture, analysis and spatialization, the three composers created new compositions and sound installations in reaction to the Grandes-Serres in Pantin; a post-industrial urban landscape in Paris’ suburbs.


The materials were collected during a 2-day residency at the Grandes-Serres in Pantin with the aid of IRCAM’s production team and technical facilities. Then followed an intense period of experimentation using IRCAM's studio facilities, resulting in one individual composition per composer and two collaborative sound installations. The results were exhibited during a public exhibition on November 26 and 27, organised by IRCAM and the project team. During these two days, visitors were invited to attend listening sessions, project presentations and roundtables.


The work and public exhibitions were supported by IRCAM's production and administration team.

EQUIPMENT

Onsite equipment:


  • The IKO loudspeaker made by Sonible
  • 2 x MhAcoustics EM32 microphones
  • 1 x Soundfield SPS200 Soundfield
  • 1 x Sennheiser Ambeo  Microphone
  • 1 x Tellinga parabole microphone
  • 2 x Dolphin Ear hydrophones
  • 6 x PMX5 loudspeakers

Artistic work equipment:


  • The IKO loudspeaker made by Sonible
  • 12 x PMX5 loudspeakers in two concentric circles
  • 1 x Acouspade directional speaker
  • 36-speaker ambisonics dome