“The exhibition titled “PneumoMachinic” draws its conceptual framework from the etymology of its name. “Pneumo,” derived from the Greek word for “air” or “breath,” and “Machinic,” from the Latin machina, meaning “machine” or “device,” encapsulates the conceptual essence of this show. This sound art exhibition consists of three distinct installations, each occupying a separate gallery room. The overall ambience mirrors that of an underground live music venue where all the “instruments” are wind-based, and the performances are generated by mechanicals and algorithms rather than by human musicians […]
The second gallery features Spanish artist Xoán-Xil’s installation, Organismo (Organscape), an interactive piece that immerses visitors in a mechanical rainforest. Upon entering the room, visitors are greeted by sounds of thunder, birds and wind, creating the illusion of standing in a tropical rainforest. Although the installation features only nine relatively small robotic devices, equipped with resonators and motion sensors, the sound and resonance they produce fill every corner of the exhibition space. Organismo draws from recent research findings on historical instruments, specifically Baroque pipe organs, that replicated environmental sounds of tropical forests. Researchers argue that this sonic mimicry served as a spiritual weapon to facilitate the spread of Christianity among Indigenous populations in Mexico during the colonial era.
In addition to the auditory experience, this cyberpunk organ is brought to life through the rhythmic up-and-down movement of bellows and pulleys of the robotics, which are activated by motion sensors. As well, exaggerated shadows on the walls cast by deliberate lighting together create an illusion of a group of living entities that move, breathe and produce sound. This immersive experience invites viewers to reconsider the power of sound and the myths surrounding music, prompting reflections on their historical and universal significance. […]”
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