∞ (a project for documenta X)

1997
a project for documenta x
sound, stage, sign
dimension variable
infinity

The project represents an encroachment into the everyday life of the town of Kassel in 1997. Acoustical codes and signs − cryptic forms of information − were distributed throughout town. 72 short audio pieces, each lasting 45 seconds, form the audible elements of this work. The sound structures receive their sources or references from signals of telephone, fax, Morse codes and other signals that transmit information. These were emitted in public spaces such as a department store, the airport and railroad station over a period of 100 days. These non-identifiable codes infiltrating everyday life generate interference resulting in a new perception of the surrounding world.

Furthermore these sounds were transmitted without prior announcement by the local radio station. As a visual equivalent to the sound graffiti an abstract logo (sign) was also distributed all over town. A stage was installed in a central place (the centre of a spiral ramp of a parking garage) which not only combined all elements, but also served as a performance space during the opening of documenta X for Carsten Nicolai, Mika Vainio, Frank Bretschneider, Olaf Bender and CM von Hauswolff.