2022
MATERIALS: brass hemisphere, scintillator detector, custom electronic circuitry, audio amplifier, transducer, wire. (49x)
MEASUREMENTS: site specific
EXHIBITION HISTORY: Bloom. Søndermarken, Copenhagen, Denmark 2022 ; Ars Electronica Festival 2022, Linz, Austria.

When a cosmic ray enters the Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, it splits into smaller parts and decays. However one of the mildly radioactive elements of the radiation reaches all the way down to us – the so-called muon.

Muons travel almost at the speed of light. Despite their short lifespan of 2.2 microseconds – and thanks to the theory of relativity, which means they age 22 times slower than to us – these particles often manage to reach far below the surface of the Earth.

µ consists of 49 specially designed particle detectors, amplifying the energy of muons, resulting in audible impulses. The detectors are autonomous, and the impulses are emitted live and according to the particle's intensity and truly random presence. Thus µ functions as a cosmic listening station, inviting us to enter the grid and experience the everpresent cosmic rays.

 

 

Commissioned by Bloom.

Created in collaboration with the Niels Bohr Institute of Copenhagen University. 

Special thanks to Steffen Krejberg Knudsen, Julie Thaning Mikines and everybody at Bloom, Maria Jedryszek, Jørgen Beck Hansen, Troels Christian Petersen, Peter Laursen, Kristian Rasmussen, Søren Løkkegaard, Søren Lyngsø Knudsen, Peer K. and Paul Schotanus (SCIONIX).

Realized with kind support from the Danish Composers’ Society / KODA Culture. 

 

 

Bloom. Søndermarken, Copenhagen, Denmark 2022. Photo: Malthe Ivarsson

 

 

Ars Electronica Festival 2022, Kepler's Gardens at Johannes Kepler University. Linz, Austria. Photo: Studio Skjødt Hasselstrøm