|
Since the late 1980’s, Mikko Maasalo
has explored sound, image and their interrelations in his formalist
art, investigating for example, the structure and characteristics
of sound and light, and the formation and principles of visual
and aural perception.
Permasound is a web-based generative
audio program which utilises certain aspects of the individual
user’s computer and its operating environment. The variations
in different computer web browsers, processing speeds and modem
speed fluctuations are all used to influence the playback of audio
file sequences (which themselves consist of HTML documents and
code)
Maasalo skilfully adapts and utilises
low-end technology to meet his purposes. Permasound can
also be seen as a critical statement towards what Maasalo sees
as the religion of technology; it offers a relevant alternative
to obsessively accelerating digital technology and broader bandwidth
by concentrating on creating better content for already existing
technology and slower connections. Permasound
does not require any specific plug-ins, fast computers nor high-speed
connections. Anyone with a basic knowledge of HTML coding and
the simplest audio editing tools can easily edit and develop the
basic settings of the software. It is easy to copy, combine and
replace existing sounds in order to create new audio pieces.
The regenerative properties of Permasound
are based on the glitches, interruptions and the many obstacles
that information encounters on its way from the server to the
user. ”In a way it charts the route of information moving
from one point on the web to the next, and presents its history
in audible form...”
Permasound was produced and first
presented on the Lovebytes Festival on Digital Space audio CD/CD-ROM
(2000). In this year's Avanto Festival the piece will be presented
in the Muu Gallery as a non-interactive installation version.
TE
For more information, please visit the
Permasound
website.
Everyday 6-11.11.2001 - Muu Gallery
Permasound installation
Tuesday - Friday, 12:00-17:00
Saturday - Sunday, 12:00-16:00
|
