Composition for Light, Percussion and Ultrasound

 

Seven drums with clear drum heads are set up in a field at night with high powered lights and microphones placed in each. Throughout the evening insects including moths attracted by the light congregate on and above the drums. The sound of the landing insects is amplified through a sound system placed around the drums. At specific intervals ultrasonic recordings (20 kHz, 110 dB SPL at 1 m) of bats are piped through the system triggering an evasive response from the moths who fall from the sky landing on the drums as groups.

Composition For Light, Percussion, And Ultrasound, Installation excerpt, 2010

by Paul Walde