Ears open at: Symphony of Noise

Currently the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg. In addition to countless concerts, the programme also includes many art projects, including an interesting virtual reality experience called "Symphony of Noise", which will be presented in full length in front of an audience for the first time.

Immerse yourself in high-end worlds of sound, relearn how to hear, see and feel: the virtual reality experience "A Symphony of Noise" enables an interactive journey into everyday sounds and the music hidden within them: an easy-to-use algorithmic system transforms users into composers of their own everyday soundtrack - VR goes straight to your ears.

The installation inspired by musician & producer Matthew Herbert, who turns sounds from everyday objects into electronic music, will be presented as a world premiere at the Reeperbahn Festival 2019. Matthew Herbert is not only recognised worldwide as a pioneer of electronic music and one of the most innovative musicians and DJs, but also as one of the most exciting conceptual artists around. His main concern is to change the way we listen, and he is not only interested in hearing quality in music, but also in consciously listening to all the sounds and tones in the world we live in.

Shaping sounds with breathing

In this VR application, the user interactively creates a sound collage. Text panels provide instructions. For example, you can create sounds with your breath, with your voice or with your whole body. Or you can simply bang wildly on a virtual supermarket shelf. The milk cartons and cans make a noise as they tumble down, creating a rhythm.

The creators are interested in playing with perception - making experiences, and in this case music, even more intense. "The user becomes an actor. In principle, they control the whole thing," explains Phivos Angelos Kollias, who composed the "Symphony of Noise", adding: "We do have expectations of what you will do. But it may be that you behave completely differently. That's probably the biggest challenge. In the end, we - the makers - have to let go. But for us, that's exactly the attraction - the surprising results."

Source: reeperbahnfestival / kloosundco / NDR