"DROP"-AnAudiovisualExperimentwithPurelyOrganicMaterials
DROP is a self-initiated side project that questions the idea of a digital experience by being realized exclusively through analog methods. The viewer is virtually thrown into an audiovisual soundscape and embarks on a journey where the boundaries between virtual and organic blur. Read on to gain deeper insight into the creation of the project.
It all started at OFFF Barcelona
After attending the OFFF Conference in Barcelona, Fernanda Sabaudo (Visual Designer) and Lisa Marleen Mantel (Experience Designer) were so inspired that they decided to tackle the following question and challenge: Is it possible to create a digital experience exclusively using analog methods? They began experimenting with various materials and eventually discovered ferrofluids - liquids that react to magnetic fields. Thus, things literally got moving.
Working in Macro Detail
So they had the idea, the material, and the power - what now? To bring things to life, they turned to Ömer Mutlu (Digital Creative) to shoot some test runs and see if the result would look as if it had been produced with software. In the Demodern Lab, they set up a workspace with the help of Matthias Rosenthal (Creative Technologist) and began capturing material with macro lenses to obtain the most authentic 4K footage possible.
Learning from Chladni, the "Father of Acoustics"
An important inspiration for the experiment was the so-called Chladni plate. The German scientist Ernst Chladni was the first to prove at the end of the 18th century that sound propagates through waves. He developed a way to make vibrations visible on a metal plate. Since our team did not specifically use the Chladni method, they had no real control over the sound patterns produced, but poetically left the results to chance.
Making Sounds and Vibrations Visible...
During the recording phase, they also discovered that the vibration of certain sound frequencies (90 Hz) can trigger unique movements and patterns. Soon, glitter from the craft store became atmospheric particles, soap bubbles turned into extraterrestrial organisms, and the audio bites actually became visible.
From 4K to 8K - Analog Surpasses Digital
Some say, "Sky's the limit," for our team it was 4K - NOT... To achieve a multiplication of density, they had the idea to reflect the footage and create reflections of the images. This led to scenes in 8K, resulting in an experience that satisfies all the senses.
Custom Ambient Sounds
To elevate the experience to the next dimension, they asked our "Right Around the Corner" audio partners Loyproduction to compose a custom ambient soundscape and synchronize it with the artistic visuals.
Drop as an Interactive Experience at Trade Shows and Events
This audiovisual experiment is just the beginning, and we want to place "DROP" in an interactive context to captivate users and customers at trade shows, in public spaces, at festivals, and in retail stores. So if you're looking for impressive experiences for your next event, contact us for the complete production, hardware, setup, and development service! The all-inclusive package from Demodern for you!
Tools and Materials Used:
Drill set, subwoofer speaker, petri dish, syringes, colored ink, glitter, soil, sand, vinegar, and ferrofluids.
We Want to Say "Thank You"...
Jan from Simon Says Media for the supportive material and Sebastian from Skip Beats for the overwhelming sound!