Anna Mlasowsky is a German-born glass artist who works across many media including video, installation, and performance. As the description below for the project “Resonance” attests, her work with sound emerges from her own challenges with hearing perception. Two projects are included here: Resonance and Sound Visions both from 2013.
You can view her website here:
https://www.annamlasowsky.com
RESONANCE. 2013
Size: 6 m x 3 m x 4 m. Material/Technique: Speaker, 30 x 40 cm Aluminum plate, Black glass powder, Frequency generator, Video, Sound-by Edmund Campion,Professor at The University of Berkeley, California, Department of Music,
“I was born with a hearing problem. Background noises are equally loud as direct conversation, making it difficult to concentrate and leading to frustration and stress. This problem generated an interest in exploring sounds and vibrations as visual forms. The project “Wind”, “Sound Visions” and “Araneae” are part of this series of pieces completed within a years time.
Every material resonates at specific material inherent frequencies, which depend on size, shape and thickness of each material. Ernst Chladni was the first to visualize such frequencies on a flat surface by sprinkling sand on it and striking it with a violin bow. When the plate starts vibrating at the resonant frequencies, the sand will move into patterns. Today a metal plate and a speaker are producing those visible sound formations. I replaced the sand with glass powder, which vibrates into the patterns and is then fused a kiln into its solid shapes. The metal plate used in this project has approx. 200 resonant frequencies within the audible range. If the metal plate is vibrated at non- resonant frequency, no patterns will form. The project was about to visualize vibrations so that what is audible would also become visible. The cloud formations of the glass patterns represent all possible forms within the audible range.”
Sound-Visions. 2013
Size: 40cm x 50cm x max. 2cm thick
Technique/Materials: Fused glass powder, sheet glass, Media player, Headphones. Sound by Thorsten Scheppers
“Sounds are waves. Each sound has its own particular frequency which creates sound specific patterns. Glass powder, used as a sediment is mixed with vibrating water and materializes the waves during the process of settling. The results are frozen Images of motions. Through the headphones the sound of the vibration is played to inform the patterns individual structures.”
