Sound is a single, yet rich source of information, it gives voice to habitats. It is a physical source that invokes a non-physical reaction, beginning in the natural world and ending in the mind of the observer.
In the works for this exhibition, Dees explores the perception and transmutation of sound as it is transformed into a visual mode. Dees accomplishes this by writing mathematical algorithms inspired by his experience of four types of landscape in North Leitrim: forest, river, sea and mountain. These algorithms in-turn respond to information from sound recordings made within the same locations, and in doing so, in-form the creation of graphic elements or ‘equivalences’ using plotting/drawing devices fed by vectoral information.
By using information and data from the original sources to ‘in-form’ the next stage of the mutation, the artist ensures the physical connection between different phenomena is maintained. This creates an event with a different sensory mode that challenges the viewer's perception. The resulting visual soundscapes are displayed on paper and stretched and unstretched canvases in the gallery. Also on show is the plotting machine used to make the work.
Aaron Dees is an Irish based multimedia artist and PhD candidate. His PhD research is on ‘Neural Audio Synthesis of Bio-Acoustics’ where his focus is on understanding the perception of bio-acoustics and the limits of modeling these mathematically. His primary creative practice is research-led across a range of media and critical topics. The focal point of his practice remains in the concept of information, human perception, technology and environment. Being an advocate for the benefits of interdisciplinary research, his work touches on these topics and explores the intersections between them.
From a young age Aaron has had a deep admiration for both the natural world and the world of mathematics, and the connections between the two. These two areas have informed most of his life decisions to date. Coming from a mathematical and scientific background he is shifting focus toward the development of creative practices and using artworks as a form of communication, understanding and questioning.
To date, he has worked with a range of communicative and artistic forms, including, light installations, digital projections, computer programming and visual artworks. Most recently he has been interested in using computer algorithms with plotting machines to produce visual forms of non-physical information.
Curated by Sean O'Reilly
