„Howlingbirds“ was a sound installation that took place at the IRCAM Forum Workshops in 2024. Despite the complexity of interferences, the outcome of the installation was particularly significant for me and stood out as one of my favorite experiences during this year’s series of workshops.
The installation was created by Jsuk Han, an artist who specializes in sculpture, installation, and sound performance. He utilized feedback sound and flocking algorithms, applying them to multi-channel systems to simulate natural phenomena.
Feedback sound is a type of sound that occurs when the output of a sound system is captured and then fed back into the input, creating a loop of sound. Jsuk Han utilized this type of sound to replicate or imitate natural phenomena, such as the movement of birds in a flock. By increasing the gain value while facing each other, the resonance frequency corresponding to the device is naturally generated. In the case of a single channel (one speaker and microphone), a simple sine wave that resonates with the characteristics of the medium is generated. However, when it expands to multiple channels, the frequency transforms in a more complex manner, enabling the recreation of Howlingbirds.
In his conference, the speaker declared that he utilized Ircam’s SPAT program for the panning function in a multi-channel setup and for specifying the position of the speakers. He later explained that the feedback sound would be controlled by applying the behavior of groups using a special algorithm called the flocking algorithm (Boid). This algorithm will be applied to a system of particles, allowing adjustment of the sound based on its position in three-dimensional space.
In conclusion, despite each aspect of the project aligning closely with my interests and also my master project, it was the simplicity and aesthetic of the outcome that resonated with me the most.
