Locust wrath: An iOS audience participatory auditory display
Abstract
Mobile devices have been used in soundscape installations
and performances over the past decade or longer, often to
emphasize social interaction. Multichannel sonification has
been found to successfully represent data describing
kinematic phenomena. However, there are few if any
examples where these two approaches are combined. The
Locust Wrath project has evolved in stages: first, as surround
sonifications of climate data for a multimedia dance
performance; then, as a frontal display sound installation and
as material in a live performance of ‘musical’ interactive
sonification; and recently, as an audience participator work.
We developed a system for spatialized sonification of data
using a server-client model with iOS devices. In two
multimedia performances, the audience members’ iPhones
were employed ad hoc to constitute a large auditory display.
This paper describes the artistic background to the project,
outlines the stages, and focuses on the design and
implementation of the Locust Wrath client app.