Artist Statement
Bright Noise is a mobile field survey tool that scans the light scape of an
environment, which then generates a soundscape based on the light level of the area.
Bright Noise deals with the representation of light pollution in many art works or
scientific studies. In many of such works, light pollution is represented through a
long exposed image of a long shot at the skyline or city. However, we are visually
trained to appreciate light. As a result, it looks nicer and aesthetically pleasing
rather than a problem that is immediately informative.
The Soundscape
A program is activated to scan through each of these pixel blocks and each value
would then be translated into a sound. Clicks represent dimmer lights and noise
represents bright lights. Silence represents darkness. The entire soundscape would
represent the light pollution level of an area.
Objective
The objective of this work is to create awareness of light pollution and that
light is not always good for humans and the environment. The secondary objective
is to explore sound as an alternative way of experiencing light pollution without
invested meanings or aesthetic values.
Bright Noise as a performance tool
Through my explorations of this work, I have also realised the potentials of
Bright Noise as a performance tool that could be used in live Audio performances.
The fact that the state of light is constantly in flux meant that the sound scape
generated would evolve with every cycle. This constant change could be a direct
result of the lighting condition or the movement of the audiences. A proposed live
performance with bright noise could bring the audiences to understand the
relationship between light and sound, in this environmental context.