Imperfect
(2018)
- Duration 4'27"
- Instrumentation Sonic Art piece
[2dM06] 2-D Materials
Graphene, Random Walk
Image sequence showing a "hole" in the graphene sample (two atoms are missing). The defect does not stay in one spot, but instead moves around during observation under the electron microscope. The defect performs a random walk driven by the irradiation.
Image credits: matter.soundsof.net/2d-materials
Program Notes
Imperfect is a sonic art piece based on video from an electron microscope of a 2-Dimensional Graphene lattice with missing atoms. Composed for the 2018 Sounds of Matter Competition.
The defects in the graphene atomic lattice were the inspiration for this piece. All audio files used are also imperfect - specific harmonics were removed from the original audio samples which were then manipulated using different processes and effects.
The audio samples include a Mbira, which supplied the necessary harmonics for the sonic landscape, as well the sounds of a graphite pencil scribbling and scratching against a piece of paper. The sounds produced by the graphite pencil were used to express the energy of the jiggling atoms, the radiation from the electron microscope and of course, the graphene.
– David Witmer