Sonic Babylon
• What software do I need?
• How does a sound garden work?
• How do I prune sounds already planted in the garden?
• How do I plant my sounds?
• Who runs Sonic Babylon?
• Who is sponsoring Sonic Babylon?
• When is the next inaugural?
What software do I need?
In order to hear and prune the garden, or to plant sounds of your own (mp3 files), you must download the Sonic Babylon application to your mobile device. It consists of a client app and a library of sounds.
How does a sound garden work?
As you move through the garden, the client app (a 3D audio engine) identifies your location in the garden to the server, which then sends back a sound mix specific to your location.
How do I prune sounds already planted in the garden?
You may select a sound already in the garden and modify its parameters, for example, you may wish to make the sound softer, or have it repeat less frequently. The changes you make are sent to the server, which makes your modifications and broadcasts them to the visitors in the garden.
How do I plant my sounds?
You may either select from existing sounds in the library, or upload sounds previously recorded or stored on your mobile device (mp3 files only, 2.5 MB max). You then set the parameters for sound playback. The client app on your mobile device identifies your current position in the garden and sends this information, along with your sound file and playback parameters, to the server. Your sound and its parameters are then saved and broadcast to all visitors currently in the garden. (Note that inappropriate or copyrighted material is not permitted and will be removed by the gardeners.)
Who runs Sonic Babylon?
Sonic Babylon is the creation of Nora Farrell and William Duckworth. Since the mid 1990's, they have been exploring the artistic potential of the Internet, focusing on community music making, generative expression, and extended composition. Their first net project, Cathedral (1997), includes an interactive website, custom-built virtual instruments, and an Internet band that offers listeners focused moments to play music in community live and online. For a decade the Cathedral Band maintained a regular touring schedule that took them to Japan and Australia twice, as well as to Galapagos, The Cutting Room, LaMaMa, and the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center in NYC. In 2001, Cathedral mounted a continuous 48-hour webcast, streaming 34 performances live from 5 continents. Farrell and Duckworth's most recent project, an iPod Opera based on the Orpheus myth, explored space, scale, memory, and echo through a 2-year unfolding of video podcasts, stage performances, and a public opera, iOrpheus, in the streets and promenades of the South Bank Parklands, Brisbane, Australia on 31 August 2007.
Who is sponsoring Sonic Babylon?
Sponsors of the Australian Sound Gardens include the following friends, supporters, and organizations:
• Apple Computer Australia
• The Centre of Contemporary Arts, Cairns
• The Floating Land Festival, Noosa
• KickArts, Cairns
• The Linnaeus Estate, Byron Bay
• The National Film and Sound Archive, Canberra
• The Noosa Biosphere Cultural Board
• The Noosa Regional Gallery
• The On Edge Festival, Cairns
• The Queensland Conservatorium Research Center, Griffith University, Brisbane
• The Whitfield House, Cairns
When is the next inaugural?
The 2009 sound gardens occur in Australia between July and September 2009, and include 3 gardens for the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre's Media Gardens in Queensland (Cairns, South Bank, and Noosa), and a permanent garden for The National Film and Sound Archive's 25th Anniversary in Canberra (opening 19 August). Specific dates for all openings (with software availability), will be added below as they become available.
• The Sound Garden at Noosa | Opening Sun., 13 September 2009
A joint venture of the Noosa Regional Gallery and the Noosa Biosphere Cultural Board, the garden will grow at the Noosa Regional Gallery in Tewantin. Singer Delany Delaney, sound artist Leah Barclay performing on world percussion instruments, and percussionist Steve Weis performing on metal sculpture will play live with the sounds of the garden. The garden officially opens at 14:00. The Noosa Regional Gallery is located on the edge of the Noosa River on Pelican Street. Software for Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices will be available on the Download page of this site the day of the opening.
• The Sound Garden at the NFSA, Canberra | Opening Wed., 19 August 2009
As part of Sound Day 2009 festivities, the National Film and Sound Archive's Sound Garden, the first permanent garden in Australia, opens in the Inner Courtyard of the NFSA at 12:30. The opening features vocalist Robyn Archer performing live with the sounds of the garden. Visitors to the garden may either drift through the virtual soundscapes, or bring Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices and participate in the pruning and planting of sounds. Software for Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices will be available at the NFSA.
• The Sound Garden at South Bank, Brisbane | Opening Wed., 5 August 2009
An initiative of the Queensland Conservatorium Research Center, the garden will grow in the outdoor area at the Red Note Cafe in the South Bank Parklands. Special guest percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson will perform live with the sounds of the garden. The garden officially opens at 18:00 and will continue indefinitely. The Red Note Cafe is located on the ground level of the Queensland Conservatorium. Software for Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices will be available on the Download page of this site the day of the opening.
• The Sound Garden at KickArts, Cairns | Opening Thur., 9 July 2009
A joint initiative of the On Edge Festival, KickArts, and the Queensland Conservatorium Research Center, the garden will grow in the outdoor area of KickArts, 96 Abbott St., in the CBD. The official opening begins at 13:00. The garden will continue through 18 July. Software for Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices will be available on the Download page of this site the day of the opening.