Synaisthesis

Synaisthesis is an immersive light and sound exhibit in the Conservatory at the Contemplative Commons. A collaboration between Karianne Michelle, R. Lee Kennedy, David Acunzo and Matthew Burtner, the installation is open daily. Experience the standing-wave acoustics and binaural beating patterns along with the synchronized lighting as detailed below.

Synaisthesis originates in the standing-wave vibrations and interference patterns of an ensemble of nine unique crystal alchemy sound bowls. The bowls were recorded from the inside using ambisonic 3D sound and spectrally analyzed to create computer-generated sound models of each instrument's unique acoustics. Binaural beating patterns derived from the bowl acoustics were then mapped into the Conservatory, with frequency oscillations realized as spatial processing through a technique called Spatio-Operational Spectral (SOS) synthesis. Syn (σύν/together) and aisthesis (αiσθησις/senses) brings together standing-wave acoustics, binaural perception, and immersive fields of light and color shaped through parallel spatial mappings of the sonic environment.