Ohm, the measured frequency of the elliptical orbit of the Earth as it
travels around the sun, as well as our musical center of gravity. Ohm
is said to be the purest of sounds – the vibration and resonance
created first and foremost by our place in the universe. But how
many of us have actually heard the subtle tone created by our
planet? And what about the possibly millions of other undetected
sounds that surround us each day?
Duncan Wilson (http://www.duncan-wilson.com/duncan_wilson_work_madsoundsotto.htm)
knows that sound resonates from every surface in our environment – if
even in the form of the must subtle whisper. Wilson wondered how
many of these undetected sounds could be identified, combined and
amplified to create a new sonic experience in the form of ambient music.
OTTO (meaning ‘ear’ in Greek), created by Wilson, along with Manolis
Kelaidis at the Royal College of the Art, is a device that uncovers
diminutive vibrations by placing magnets and suction mechanisms on
various surfaces and magnifies them through an integrated
speaker. By placing several units on your window, a glass of
melting ice water, a goldfish bowl, or any other unassuming item in
your surroundings, OTTO devises a multidirectional audio atmosphere. By Andrew J Wiener.
