Detector Neurons.001

Detector Neurons.001 (2011)

Detector neurons allow the human brain to tune out or recognize sounds that are familiar or repeated. I hoped to engage these neurons by installing a siren that would not signal imminent danger, but instead convey happiness by playing different major chords from pop songs. This siren sounded during the normal Wednesday afternoon siren test and did illicit curious stares on the north side of campus.

These sirens were controlled remotely via a network cable run through the buildings’ infrastructure. A custom program written in Max/MSP controlled the note relationships by changing the motor speed of each siren individually.

Year of Creation: 2011

Materials: metal, plastic, and custom electronics

Dimensions: 4’ x 4’

Exhibitions:

Demolicous, Silver Image Gallery, Columbus, Ohio
curated by Ken Rinaldo and Amy Youngs