• Blockwerk Orchestra
Blockwerk Orchestra is an interactive installation piece for exploring art through sound and music conceived and built by Noel Murphy and Tom Hill. Artfully Sighted, a group of individuals from NRSB, commissioned digital artist Noel Murphy and musician and sonic artist Tom Hill (from Origamibiro) to lead them in the design and production of an innovative and multi-sensory installation to go in the Long Gallery at Nottingham Castle.
Through a series of workshops, they came up with a way for partially sighted people to 'see' art.
By picking up a block (see image below) and taking it into the gallery, unique sounds are produced that change as the user moves around the artwork and gallery space.
The music for Blockwerk Orchestra was divided into three separate elements: sounds which would be triggered independently by single blocks (single solo phrases), a sequenced piece of music that would only be triggered when two blocks were paired together (the duets) and ambient samples that would trigger noises inspired by certain paintings in the gallery (the sample block).
Single Solo Phrases:
Each solo block (bar the sample block) has 30 different sounds mapped out in specific areas of the gallery. These areas are like the strings of an instrument. When plucked in the same place, the same sound is achieved. Because of this, there's lots of room for people to be creatively involved and produce their own musical pieces across the gallery. Just like learning an instrument, all it takes is time to know how to produce the desired sound.
The key is pre-defined (Concert C) and the notes, chords or phrases, are such that they will never be in conflict with each other, remaining harmonious no matter what instruments are triggered at any time. So, what at first may seem random to two strangers navigating the space, can gradually begin to reveal harmonious relationships, giving rise to 'happy accidents' where repetitive movements can generate question and answer scenarios, or mini musical pieces.
The Duets:
Nottingham castle would have seen through the Baroque period and undoubtedly hosted events where popular music of that period played within its walls. As such, the style, movement and grace of the Baroque courting dance proved to be an ideal source of inspiration when composing the duets. Since the aim of Blockwerk Orchestra is to encourage participation and explore new ways of perceiving art, there seemed no more fitting way than to revive a method and form similar to that which the castle would have been witness to during the 16th, 17th or 18th Century.
Whereas the single solo phrases are fixed in permanent areas of the gallery (which can be triggered repetitively by moving to and fro) the duets operate differently, playing out in sequence, regardless of what area their movements occur. This means that even if a duet pair move back and forth in the same space, they will still move on in order through the duet's sequence with each trigger.
Blockwek Orchestra Duets by origamibiro
Each time a new step in the sequence is triggered, two new instruments complete a phrase; a phrase that is usually longer than the single solo phrases. This means that, in order to appreciate each phrase of the duets in full, the movement needs to be at a slower pace. In effect, this slowed form of unified movement - in an almost step-by-step serenade - echo traits of the Baroque social dance and hopefully invites people to engage with a shared purpose and rhythm; basically, a dance.
The Sample Block:
This block is intended to act as the sounds of certain paintings. However, it is not always literal. Some sounds, for example, are there because they help add an overall ambience to the experience of looking at the paintings as a collection. Others can actually be found in the paintings. Again, this works best when the space is navigated slowly to absorb what sound has been triggered and how that sound affects the perception of the painting being looked at.
To really appreciate Blockwerk Orchestra, a certain level of patience is required. Just like learning an instrument, it takes a little time to work it out and experiment. If time is taken to develop a technique, users can begin to make music, harmony and explore the space together.
You can also listen to a recent audio interview with Rob Allcock, from Nottingham Royal Society for The Blind and creator, Tom Hill, talking about Blockwerk Orchestra and how it works. For more infoon the making of it check co-creator, Noel Murphy's site here
Interview by Clare Freeman
The Blockwerk Orchestra installation runs from March through to October 2011 at Nottingham Castle Long Gallery.
Photographs by Tracey Whitefoot courtesy of Nottingham City Museums and Galleries
