Sound artist Gerriet K. Sharma designs sound sculptures of BESSY VSR
Gerriet K. Sharma is setting up the icosahedral loudspeaker, photo: Kristijan Smok (izlog)
From 13 to 19 July 2016, the artist will be recording sounds on location
The electron storage ring BESSY II is the backdrop for an extraordinary art project. Sound artist Gerriet K. Sharma of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz will translate the principles of accelerator physics into three-dimensional acoustic compositions. From 13 to 19 July 2016, the artist will be on location to record sounds directly in the electron storage ring.
The electron storage ring BESSY II is the backdrop for an extraordinary art project. Sound artist Gerriet K. Sharma of the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz will translate the principles of accelerator physics into three-dimensional acoustic compositions. From 13 to 19 July 2016, the artist will be on location to record sounds directly in the electron storage ring.
Gerriet K. Sharma found inspiration for this work in the expansion project BESSY VSR. Accelerator experts at HZB want to expand the synchrotron radiation source BESSY II into a variable-pulse-length storage ring – as the first team to do so worldwide. Each measuring station will then offer a choice between long and short light pulses. The artist has been working on this extraordinary project together with HZB researchers since the spring of 2016, to transform accelerator physics into an extraordinary 3D sound experience.
To generate the unique soundscapes of BESSY VSR, Gerriet K. Sharma is using an icosahedral loudspeaker. The acoustic figures it produces move almost physically through the room. “The combination of art and science is very prominent in this project. Both work with frequencies, amplitudes and overlays – just in different media,” says Kerstin Berthold, who is supervising the art project at HZB together with researchers from the Institute for Accelerator Physics.
After many months of intensive compositional work, the artist plans to present his work in the summer of 2017.
Notice for employees:
While he is working at BESSY II, the artist will be sampling tone and sound sequences in the ring, foyer and auditorium. Please understand that it may briefly get a little louder than usual, at times.
Project partners:
Gerriet K. Sharma (artist)
studied media art at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, and composition and computer music at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz. He is currently writing his doctoral thesis at the renowned art university in Graz on “Composing Sculptural Sound Phenomena in Computer Music”. Among other distinctions, he received the 2008 German Soundart Award.
Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin
Institute for Accelerator Physics
Paul Goslawski, Godehard Wüstefeld and Martin Ruprecht
Communication Departement
Kerstin Berthold
- How carbonates influence CO2-to-fuel conversionResearchers from the Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society (FHI) have uncovered how carbonate molecules affect the conversion of CO2 into valuable fuels on gold electrocatalysts. Their findings reveal key molecular mechanisms in CO2 electrocatalysis and hydrogen evolution, pointing to new strategies for improving energy efficiency and reaction selectivity.
- Peat as a sustainable precursor for fuel cell catalyst materialsIron-nitrogen-carbon catalysts have the potential to replace the more expensive platinum catalysts currently used in fuel cells. This is shown by a study conducted by researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and universities in Tartu and Tallinn, Estonia. At BESSY II, the team observed the formation of complex microstructures within various samples. They then analysed which structural parameters were particularly important for fostering the preferred electrochemical reactions. The raw material for such catalysts is well decomposed peat.
- Susanne Nies appointed to EU advisory group on Green DealDr. Susanne Nies heads the Green Deal Ukraina project at HZB, which aims to support the development of a sustainable energy system in Ukraine. The energy expert has now also been appointed to the European Commission's scientific advisory group to comment on regulatory burdens in connection with the net-zero target (DG GROW).