Noise 'n' Science

BACKGROUND Digital-based sonification methods have been used to turn particle physics data into sound and music, such as the LHC sound project at UCL. However, these projects have all translated the data into normalised musical tunings, giving an aesthetically pleasing output. My research sought to sonify the data in a less tuned form that allows for more raw expressive qualities to emerge. The sound is paired with video footage (of the Large Hadron Collider, for example) which I took as part of the research. The video is affected by the sound, and in a live context, this brings together the audio and video media in surprising and unexpected ways, creating unique forms of feedback that is both audiovisual and conceptual. CONTRIBUTION The 'Noise 'n' Science' ciné concert presented work I developed during my 'art@CMS' collaboration at the Compact Muon Solenoid, CERN, Switzerland. The work challenged the audiovisual boundaries of particle physics research at CERN. In collaboration with particle physicist Wolfgang Adam, particle collision data was turned into analogue CV signals that in turn controlled synthesizers live at the cine event. As this data and sound were generated, I improvised with the material, performing audiovisual expression of the LHC: a delicate balance between scientific order and nature, control and chaos SIGNIFICANCE This unique method of data sonification conceptually and energetically expresses the analogue and physical nature of the LHC detectors and particle collision events. In this sense, the data is more 'raw' or 'pure' than sonification projects that arbitrarily map data into aesthetically pleasing musical forms. Cinema Spoutnik is run by a former CERN scientist, who presents film and sound outside or on the border of traditional media, aiming to deepen the relationship between viewer and artists. The event was widely marketed around Geneva and drew an audience of 60 people including scientists, artists, film makers and the public.