Gloom and Doom 2 / Tactile Air 2 (in collaboration with SIMPARCH)
Weston Art Gallery, Aronoff Center for the Arts
Cincinnati, OH, May - June 2006

The second story of this installation exists as a sonic boom simulator — a custom-built anechoic chamber with gabled roof horns, acoustically activated with twin 450 watt loudspeakers, representing a physical manifestation of a sound wave and its trajectory from above. The composition, Tactile Air — a constant, high decibel playback of sonic booms inside of the chamber — is designed to replicate the actual volume levels experienced by residents living beneath military-controlled supersonic airspace. Large areas of the country have become familiar with this affected airspace since the aerospace boom following World War II. Constant technological developments during times of both peace and war ensure regular sonic booms for the indefinite future. More photos and sound sample at the Weston Art Center web site.

EXHIBITION

These recordings have been exhibited publicly as part of two collaborative installations with SIMPARCH:
"Gloom and Doom 2," as a 60 minute sound composition entitled "Tactile Air 2"
"Gloom and Doom 1," as a 10 minute sound composition entitled "Tactile Air 1"

Updated on June 2007: The recording phase of this project is ongoing, and a playback of recent booms is being exhibited indefinitely at the CLUI Desert Research Station in the newly constructed "Sonic Boom Containment Vessel".

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Acknowledgements

SIMPARCH
The Center for Land Use Interpretation for use of the Desert Research Station in Hinkley, CA.

This project is made possible in part by generous grants from:
The Institute for Figuring
The Durfee Foundation