CORONAL MASS is a multi-channel sound installation that sonifies auroral monitoring data in real time. Working with live geomagnetic field data detected 100 km above the surface of the Earth CORONAL MASS maps the impact of solar winds on the ionosphere, tracking the electron exchange that gives rise to the Aurora Australis and Borealis. Occupying the zone between Earth and interplanetary space this project extends ordinary human perception: an electronically charged chord sweeping through the gallery in a powerful evocation of this immense interplanetary force. Lead artist: Michaela Gleave Composer: Amanda Cole Programmer: Warren Armstrong Sound Engineering: Bob Scott Scientists: Martin Connors and Ian Schofield A visualisation of the live data can be viewed here: http://www.warrenarmstrong.net:3000/aurora/charts/all Records of the data stream can be viewed here: http://autumn.athabascau.ca/TBS_autumnxquery2.php The project gratefully acknowledges Martin Connors, Ian Schofield and the Athabasca University Faculty of Science and Technology. Athabasca University’s AUTUMNX magnetometer network is funded through the Canadian Space Agency / Geospace Observatory (GO) Canada program. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Salamanca Arts Centre wishes to acknowledge that the Centre stands on the country of the Muwinina people. In recognition and reflection of the deep history and culture of this island, we also wish to acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, who are the traditional owners and continued custodians of the land and waters of lutruwita (Tasmania).

Michaela Gleave with Amanda Cole and Warren Armstrong 2016 A Galaxy of Suns ‘plays’ the stars as they rise and set over 360˚ of the horizon. Tracking the Earth’s motions through space, the workdocuments in real-time the audience’s precise position in relation to the stars, sonifying stellar data to create a sound and visual composition unique to their location in space and time. A Galaxy of Suns works with parameters such as location on the horizon, brightness, size, age and chemical composition of stars, and translates them into sonic and aesthetic variables including rhythm, pitch, volume, panning, colour and light intensity. The performance features a 36-part chorus, singing the stars as they rise and set over the horizon. A specifically created app delivers microtonal sonic cues directly to the 36 individual parts, in real-time for the location. Performers are spatially mapped across the performance venue to represent location across the galaxy, with the parts divided according to the ‘pitch’ of each individual star: the slower burning cooler red stars corresponding to the bass notes, and the faster burning hot blue stars corresponding to the upper registers. Sampled tuned percussion accompanies the chorus, with large-scale lighting tracking the progress of the choristers as they sing their way across the sky; the composition building until all 360 degrees of the horizon is represented in sound and light. Credits: Lead artist - Michaela Gleave Composer - Amanda Cole Programming - Warren Armstrong Advising Astronomer - Michael Fitzgerald Costumes - Katy B Plummer Managing Producer - Hannah Sullivan Choir Leader - Sam Burns Choir - Singers from Gurt Lush and Bristol MAN Chorus Lighting - Graeme Hogg, Rod Mclauchlan, James Vickery Assistant - Jack Drewry Filming and editing - Artur Tixiliski Sound recording and design - Jonny Pryor Produced in association with Experimenta Media Arts Launched in association with Dark Mofo, Tasmania and Bristol Biennial, UK This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. A Galaxy of Suns is supported by the NSW Government through Arts NSW. For further details visit www.agalaxyofsuns.net