Resonant Carboy by Joshua Penrose

Concept: Resonant Carboy is a generative sound installation that offers high concentrations of microbiological life a unique mode of performative expression.  In this installation, yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) are given voice as they fervently reproduce during the process of fermentation.  Real-time chemical reactions become the generative process powering this unfolding temporal form.  Up to 1.7 trillion yeast cells will trigger a self-organizing soundscape in real-time, as they feast on the monosaccharides available in a solution of honey and water.  As the yeast cells digest the sugars, they yield large quantities of carbon dioxide.  The release of this gas will drive a computer software environment – an instrument – that gives voice to the microscopic chorus of chemical transfiguration as a hybrid texture of amplified natural and synthetic sound.

We thought it was a great way to start the week. Read more about it here!