ColdVoice
Play the music of glaciers
on an instrument that
slowly melts away
ColdVoice is a melting musical instrument that reveals the sounds of glaciers through touch. Guided by Playable Streets creative facilitators, participants create shifting soundscapes on ice, exploring its beauty and fragility. Play, collaborate, and discover before the music – and the instruments – disappear.
“It was a true highlight, transforming the David Li Sound Gallery into a deeply thoughtful and inspiring, ice-laden, sound and visual wonderscape. ”
Presentation options
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Presented in a wide range of settings, ColdVoice transforms indoor and outdoor spaces through sound, touch and ice. Playable Streets creative facilitators guide and collaborate with participants, shaping a captivating and immersive environment as the instruments slowly melt away.
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We can collaborate with local musicians to create a unique participatory music performance event.
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In this workshop, participants are introduced to ColdVoice, explore the world of glaciers, and experiment with ice-based instruments to create their own evolving soundscapes.
The Instrument
This novel musical interface is a never-before seen device that deteriorates as it is played. The player manipulates field recordings from glaciers by touching ice and experiencing the sensation of cold through their skin. This instrument utilises the unique ‘depth of touch’ sensing developed by Playable Streets and implemented in installations such as The Plants (Art Centre, Melbourne, The Esplanade, Singapore). Participants can explore the sonic space of glaciers while experiencing the at once solid and fragile nature of ice.
The Composition
Award winning composer and sound designer Cayn Borthwick presents: Glacier Swells - a composition for ColdVoice accompanied by a range of instruments from synthesizer to contemporary ensembles. This 30 min immersive 8 speaker surround piece has been inspired by the Alaskan glaciers where Cayn collected field recordings for the Cold Voice instrument.
The Participatory Installation
Enter a room of musical instruments that have never been played before, and will soon disappear. Led by Playable Streets creative facilitators participants will explore these novel musical interfaces and compose their own unique soundscapes. Immersed in the sonic world of glaciers we invite you to play, collaborate and explore before these instruments melt away.
The Workshop
ColdVoice is a musical instrument that has never been played before and will soon disappear. Led by Playable Streets creative facilitators, this workshop explores these novel musical interfaces made from ice and how we can make music on them. We listen to field recordings from glaciers and experience the sensation of cold. No prior musical experience is necessary as ColdVoice is an instrument that is yet to be mastered by anyone! These workshops will involve, music-making, glacial exploration, and technology.
CREATIVE TEAM
Developed by Playable Streets - Designed and built By Glen Walton, Sound by Cayn Borthwick, Technology by Robert Jarvis, Production by Chloe Smith, 3D modelling and fabrication design by Harry Rose. Creative facilitator Alumni: Sophia Derkenne. Big thanks to Kate Perman, Jamie Houge. ColdVoice was first commissioned by Monash Performing Art Centres.