CLOUDBREAK
spatial sound installation with realtime thunderstorm data
The sound installation CLOUDBREAK consists of plasma coils, a four-channel speaker setup, and audio software that analyzes lightning strikes from around the world in real-time, transforming them into a live composition. The frequency of these weather events is determined and used to trigger the plasma ash generators in the space, creating a composition based on the rhythm of current lightning strikes. In addition to the timing, the location of the lightning strikes also plays a role. Using the program, sounds are spatially represented in alignment with the location of the lightning strikes. The data I use for this audio software comes from the community project "blitzortung.org." In this project, private individuals set up DIY monitoring stations at home, which then record large electrical discharges, such as lightning, in the atmosphere. These stations are synchronized with a central server and make the data accessible to the public on their website. My installation showcases the largest thunderstorms worldwide in real-time, oering a global perspective. It highlights how our Earth functions as a vast ecosystem where everything is interconnected and constantly interacting. Our modern global connectedness often goes unnoticed, but this installation brings it into visibility and audibility. Furthermore, this work explores the way we humans perceive patterns in nature. For example, we might recognize a familiar melody in birdsong or think of a familiar rhythm in the dripping of a faucet. Similarly, in this installation, it is solely the lightning that dictates the rhythm and spatialization of the sounds.
