carsten nicolai

interference room

2012
customized optical projection system
dimensions variable
interference room interference room

for the installation interference room a two-channel composition of sub frequency sounds is transmitted onto the surface of a custom-made water pond via two exciters through variations in air pressure. each sound continuously creates concentric circle waves causing interference patterns when they meet. by means of synchronizing the sound waves with a stroboscope the wave patterns can be made visible on a screen in the exhibition space. depending on the original frequencies induced on the water surface the interference patterns can be either regular or irregular hence creating orderly or rather chaotic visual results that cannot be entirely controlled. in this context the installation can be perceived either as a scientific means of analysis or a resource of meditation, reflecting on natural phenomenona on an almost philosophical scope.