Sound Barrier - the art project
In one of the cooler art projects I’ve seen in ages, Maia Urstad decided to build a whole wall out of old boomboxes and audio equipment.
Sound Barrier, as she titled it, has lofty goals. She says that her inspiration came from the “ruins” of ancient walls in the countryside, and argues that this technology will be the ruins that our generation leaves.
Here’s a little more of her explanation:
“CD-and cassette radios in the installation have a double, visual and conceptual function. On an auditory level they are mediating the sound image implemented in the installation. Visually they are the concrete building blocks, the obvious function in the wall, but they also reflects issues related to the technical development and our culture of consumption.
The CD players in the wall are playback units for a composition of electronically treated sounds borrowed from radio waves, Morse code, FM- and satellite radio etc. Sound signals that also will be obsolete and forgotten sooner than we might expect.
The installation SOUND BARRIER is a creative examination of correspondences and the juxtaposition of issues. The questions it poses are many, including and especially: ‘What will become of the ruins after us`?’”
It’s an interesting look at our society. No one doubts that the sheer amount of electronic waste in the world is beginning to be a major problem. The question just becomes what can we do about it. I’m not entirely sure if people will really take much away from this installation, but it’s definitely worth a look. Considering you’re reading this on a computer, maybe you will make a small change in your own life.
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