Sonically Mapping the Body to Architecture

Music for Bodies: terrestrial and virtual research into new ways of making and listening to music; directed by Kaffe Matthews.

Music for Bodies is a research project linking the sonic mapping of human bodies to architecture, through a practical study of bioresonance and interface building. Its aim is to discover new methods of experimental music making, as well as make new music more accessible to the wider community. It is doing this concentrating on making music to feel rather than just listen to. Currently it is making Sonic Beds around the world; it recently won an Award of Distinction for Digital Music at Prix Ars Electronica:

“Kaffe MatthewsÂ’ Sonic Bed_London installation consists of a bed equipped with built-in loudspeakers; when installation visitors lie down on it, an endless loop of sounds washes over them. Due to their frequency and intensity, these sounds are perceived not only with the ears but also with the entire body in what is a very pleasant experience.
The installation has already been exhibited several times and has proven to be a popular attraction with young and old alike since it harmoniously appeals to several different dimensions of human life. The choice of what is actually a rather intimate object used in everyday life as well as the proximity of other installation visitors opens up a strong social component. On the other hand, the installation also makes it possible to experience sound in a new way and thereby provides access to a new auditory dimension.”

Sonic Bed_London’s public launch is on Saturday June 17th, where the public are invited to come lie in it and contribute to an open forum at Annette Works studio, Hackney, London E8.

Following the launch, Matthews will run free workshops facilitating anyone wanting to make music for the Bed using this instrument over the summer after which research will continue developing and building new interfaces and new music for them.

Overall this work is intended to continue in 2 strands as follows: -

I.

To continue to develop new prototypes, interfaces/spaces, for music appreciation which interface via physical contact to the human body, carried out through collaboration with multidisciplinary professionals

II

:: To develop an understanding of the electromagnetic frequency maps of the human body and of the effect of different sonic vibrations on its different areas. To use what is learnt to build a new software instrument, a bio sonic mapping processor, (bsmp) to make music for these interfaces.

:: To use the developing bsmp to make music with members of the community for the prototype interfaces.

:: To install and test these interfaces in the community, eg. the laundrette, café, bank, chip shop.

:: To pull it back to studio, evaluate, ask questions and move the process on.

All aspects of the research will be documented here at www.musicforbodies.net

Other projects by Kaffe Matthews include Three Crosses of Queensbridge and Radio Cycle.