Spying the Electromagnetic Work Force

Sound artist Jean-Pierre Aubé, has been exploring various electromagnetic phenomena via VLF (Very Low Frequency) since 2000. He observed that the increasing use of VLF for communications is overriding the naturally produced waves of lightning, northern lights, solar storms and other signals called Natural Radio. For example, Russian nuclear submarines and American military beacon use VLF frequencies to communicate. These man-made signals override the natural phenomena active on the low frequency spectrum. Eventually, VLF waves will be completely drowned out by the signals of various telecommunication systems.

Spying the Electromagnetic Work Force spies in real time on the electromagnetic state of the building and broadcasts the data through loudspeakers, demonstrating the visitors the presence of electromagnetic pollution in our environment.

Installation at the ZKM, Karlsruhe

VLF receivers silently scan the electronic flow within the building. Monitoring CD-ROM drives, network cables, lighting fixtures or elevator control panels, the receivers report back on the electromagnetic presence within the building in real time. A live generator decodes the information and broadcasts the data through four speakers and a 3-D model.

The installation is part of the exhibit Resonance. Electromagnetic Bodies, on view at at The Ludwig Museum, in Budapest, through August 27.

Via artdaily.

Related: the Electroprobe allows you to listen to electronic objects while they are talking and dreaming; ætherspace, a collar that makes hertzian space audible; the Amazing All-Band Radio, three devices that allow users to hunt short, medium and long radio waves.