trapped flies
an audio-kinetic installation
year 2013
category Kinetic & Interactive Installations
commissioned by
Austrian cultural forum Rome
variety of glasses from Lobmeyr with artificial flies
If you trap a fly in a glass, it will try to escape and fly against the glass wall. By doing so it emits the sound of the glass itself. Each glass, depending on its shape and thickness, will give a specific tone in a certain volume. The installation consists of 52 different glasses, each with an artificial fly connected to a motor. Together they are programmed to create a swarm-like behaviour and soundscape. The ‘flies’ are connected to the motor via a thin string, which gives them the freedom to ‘fly’ and hit the glass randomly and lifelike. A little concert by 52 flies.
the sound of the swarm
overview of the project
'It is a surreal simulation that explores the boundaries between natural and artificial sounds and between movement and stillness.'
Domitilla Dardi
sketch of the model
detail view
flies during the preparation
electronical detail
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materials
52 glasses, 52 DC-motors with attached plastic flies, wooden shelf, custom electronics
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dimensions
160×40×210 cm
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programming
Michael Zeltner
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curated by
Domitilla Dardi and Elisabetta Pisu
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initiated by
IMF on the occasion of the DOS exhibition in the Auditorium Rome
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team
Katharina Mischer, Thomas Traxler, Isaac Monté
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special thanks to
Zoe Hough for filming