SOUNDPIT

European City of Science, Manchester, UK

An immersive experience developed with neuroscientists, coders and musicians.

Commission

Di was awarded Artist in Residence for Manchester’s European City of Science 2016. Curious about the phenomena of synaesthesia, a sensation in one of the senses that triggers a sensation in another, Di wanted to see if she could create a machine that would allow people to see and touch sound as well as hear it. Di assembled a team of neuroscientists, coders and musicians and set up a Live-Lab to test ideas and create the first prototype. The team ran collaborative workshops at the National Science and Media Museum with people from Delius Special School, Specialist Autism Services, Mind the Gap and St Philips CE Academy.

Experience

The first protoype, Sensory Soundpit, was displayed as an immersive installation at Salford Science Jam as part of Manchester Science Festival. As visitors touch and move the sand they create their own visual and sound mixes, merging digital and physical realms.

Tour

Available for tour

Partners

European City of Science

Full credits below

Di mainstone

Artist

In a world where so much of our technology is encased in aluminium boxes or simply invisible, it’s wonderful to see digital connect with something as simple and tactile as sand.