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1.
Edinburgh 11:05
2.
Husavik 09:18
3.
Lukavac 09:42
4.
Nandesari 09:04
5.
Paris 06:02
6.
Valdivia 09:30

about

Witness 5 is the last in the series of Michael Begg’s lockdown recordings featuring the Witness Engine software he developed to sonify earth monitoring and environmental data, and in so doing give voice to the growing sense of solastalgia defining contemporary life.

Using an API from openAQ (openaq.org) an international activist organisation focused on addressing issues of air inequality through open data and community action, Begg developed an ‘engine’ to consume live data from numerous locations and turn the various elements of the air quality index into sound and audio processes.

Levels of carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter (pm25, pm10) in the atmosphere wholly determined the sounds and treatments of these compositions. Readings were taken from Edinburgh (Scotland), Husavik (Iceland), Lukavac (Bosnia), Nandesari (India), Paris (France) and Valdivia (Chile)

The string section from the Black Glass Ensemble improvised around the recordings from Scotland and Bosnia.

Proceeds from this recording will go towards creating a space in which the Black Glass Ensemble can come together and once again resume their work together whilst respecting each others safety as COVID continues to inform our lives and work.

credits

released September 4, 2020

Michael Begg, Witness Engine, synths, samples, production
Clea Friend, cello
Aisling O’Dea, violin
Julia Lungu, violin

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

omnempathy UK

Scottish independent label serving Michael Begg, Human Greed, Fragile Pitches since 2001.

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Mask design & image: © Thanos Vovolis

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