What you'll hear in the Fern Room is Orniphonia 2 by Chicago composer and artist Bob Snyder. Importantly, there are no actual bird sounds in this piece at all—everything is created through electronic means using analog synthesis. The compositional approach is similar to the groundbreaking Forbidden Planet (1956), the first movie with an electronic soundtrack. In that film, each character is accompanied by a unique sound created by an electronic circuit. In Orniphonia 2, the sound of each “creature” is also generated by a particular circuit. Each circuit generates patterns consisting of cycles within cycles that interact and change. The fact that a circuit producing regular interacting patterns of change can mimic a living organism reflects the fact that all living things exhibit rhythmic behavior, and that all biological life interacts with its environment in a regular way.

Orniphonia 2 was commissioned by Experimental Sound Studio for the Florasonic sound installation series, a partnership with the Chicago Park District curated by Lou Mallozzi.

March 3rd, 2013 - May 31, 2013
Fern Room, Lincoln Park Conservatory
2391 N. Stockton Drive
 
Opening Reception:

SUNDAY MARCH 3RD, 3-5PM

Exhibition hours:

DAILY, 9:00AM-5:00PM
 
FREE ADMISSION