Sonophore

‘Sonophore’ is a site-specific interactive sound installation developed in 2011 by the artist duo Signal-to-Noise.

Translated from Latin as ‘sound-carrier’, ‘Sonophore’ intends to explore magnetic tape’s physical capacity to hold and transmit sonic information. Sono-. (Latin: sound, that which is heard; noise). Phore. (Latin: carrying, bearer, to bear, producing, transmission; directing, turning;)

As visitors enter the installation space, they are invited to use a custom interface, taking the form of a glove, to interact with hundreds of strips of unspooled audio cassette tape. Attached directly to the walls of the space, this tape laterally spans its interior, surrounding the participant and audi¬ence. As such, the space’s physical contours act as a structure on which the tape can be both displayed and interacted with.

The tangible glove interface is designed to allow the participant to play back the sound content of the tape, enabling an active exploration of the surface of the building. These sounds are then manipulated through the participants hand movements over the tape, with the speed and direction influencing the sonic result.

Made up of both found and field recordings, the sound content of the audiotape used is site specific, dictated by the unique history and connotations of each exhibition space. During the Installation's exhibition at The Old Credit Union, Skibereen, Ireland, for example, Signal to Noise used audio material gathered and produced around the subject of financial infrastructures and numerical systems.

Such a conceptual underpinning works in parallel with Sonophore’s engaging approach, allowing for sonic glimpses of the site's heritage to be playfully revealed.