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Artist in residence inspired by the sight of sound

5 October 2005

The world's first webcast of a "seeing sound" waterwork will take place at Monash in November in a project initiated by UK-based artist Caroline Locke.

Interdisciplinary artist and Hydrophonics mastermind, Ms Caroline Locke.

Ms Locke, known for her large-scale installation works, is the latest participant in the Art and Design faculty's 2005 Artist-in-Residence program.

She is based in the Department of Multimedia and Digital Arts where she is working with the department's deputy head of research, Mr Troy Innocent, to stage the webcast of her major "seeing sound" waterwork -- Hydrophonics - at Monash's Caulfield campus.

The performance of Hydrophonics will be streamed live via the internet to Britain during two sessions -- one evening and one early morning - on 27 and 28 November, as part of the Radiator Digital Arts Festival in Nottingham.

Sound will be sent from the Caulfield campus to specially designed water tanks at a venue in Nottingham. The sound, animated by speakers under the tanks, will result in ripples and fountains being created on the surface of water.

Three Monash musicians will play and develop music especially for the event under the guidance of Mr Peter McIlwain, lecturer in technology and composition at Monash's School of Music -- Conservatorium. Ms Locke will also work with sound and technology specialist Mr Casey Rice to experiment and further extend ideas around the work.

Live video footage of the musicians performing will be sent from Australia and projected onto the walls at the Nottingham venue. At the same time, video images of the sound affecting the water surface in the tanks will be sent live from Nottingham and projected at the Monash venue. The time delay will be about one second.

Ms Locke said the event would be the first of its kind to be staged anywhere in the world.

"Hydrophonics is a sonic art event but also involves kinetic elements, electronics, and new webstreaming and digital video technologies," Ms Locke said.

"Water behaviour is fascinating and the performance of Hydrophonics will be quite mesmerizing. The audience in Melbourne will be able to hear the sound live and see the sight of the sounds from across the hemisphere."

Ms Locke will be in residence until 31 October and will return later in November to stage Hydrophonics.