The Solar Radiation Emitter is an interactive sound module that creates multiple octaves of overdriven sine waves. It is not intended to produce delicate, flowery sounds. It creates ugly and irritating noises. The graphics on the Solar Radiation Emitter are derived from a NASA image of the solar wind impacting the Earth’s magnetic Van Allen belts. A simulated “used and abused” metal finish gives some indication of what kind of sounds will be produced.
The Solar Radiation Emitter is inspired by the THX “Deep Note” sound. On launch, fifty different sine waves start at a random frequency between 200 and 300Hz. Over a few seconds, these sounds drift to their target frequencies, randomly selected from a list ranging from 50 to 1000Hz. The drift time for each sine wave is calculated based on the starting and target frequencies so that all tones arrive at their target frequency at the same time.
The Solar Radiation Emitter has a single point of interaction, a red “Diverge” button. This button has a slowly modulating red color until it is clicked and turns green. The changing red color is accomplished by changing the opacity over time of a lighter colored image placed in front of a darker colored version. Clicking on this button causes the frequencies to drift up or down at a prescribed rate. The frequencies will drift as long as the user holds the button down. Downward drifting frequencies take an absolute value of the current value, so that no tones drift below 0Hz. When the button is released, the waves slowly drift back to their original values. This is the “resting” state of the device. In Roy Ascott’s Behaviourist Art and the Cybernetic Vision, he states that in Modern Art “A feedback loop is established so that the evolution of the artwork/ experience is governed by the intimate involvement of the spectator. As the process is open- ended the spectator now engages in decision-making play.” This is means that the final “art” experience is up to the end user. This is true for the Solar Radiation Emitter. It is up to the user to decide how long and how often to hold the “Diverge” button. While the overall aesthetic of the device is controlled by the artist, the final sound output is modulated by the user.
I am very satisfied with the end result of the Solar Radiation Emitter. After seeing Marnix de Nijs and Edwin van der Heide’s Spatial Sounds (100dB at 100km/h) and the way that it assaulted people with noise, I was inspired to create my own art that made ridiculous over the top sounds. I wanted to make art that didn’t give a crap about whether or not it was generating “good” sounds. I feel that I have succeeded.
