20hz, turning sound into tangible and sculptural forms (Video)

I honestly can’t do the description of this video any justice, because about 90% of it is over my head. What I can tell you is that it’s amazing to see sound waves displayed in this way, a beautiful visualization of something not visible. The video was created by Semiconductor Films, made up of UK artists Ruth Jarman and Joe Gerhardt, who do all kinds of neat stuff just like this.

20 Hz observes a geo-magnetic storm occurring in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Working with data collected from the CARISMA radio array and interpreted as audio, we hear tweeting and rumbles caused by incoming solar wind, captured at the frequency of 20 Hertz. Generated directly by the sound, tangible and sculptural forms emerge suggestive of scientific visualisations. As different frequencies interact both visually and aurally, complex patterns emerge to create interference phenomena that probe the limits of our perception.

Got it? Yeah, me neither. Anyhow, strap on some headphones and full screen this bad boy.

Bobby