A Particular Score

Cosmic rays are high-energy radiation, originating outside the Solar System in more distant galaxies. A significant fraction of primary cosmic rays originate from the supernova explosions of stars. Upon impact with the Earth’s atmosphere, cosmic rays can produce showers of secondary particles that, at times, reach the surface of the Earth. For A Particular Score, studio AATB makes visible – through an audio score – the secondary particles that impact this specific location, in real time.

The installation responds to the impact of these secondary particles by playing a note every time a particle hits the container. The score progresses with each particle hit, taking the score one note forward and producing an irregular beat. The monolithic volume contrasts with the lightness of the sound; together, they make visible processes that are all around us, are much bigger than us, and bring us forward in the same way the universe moves all around us – inexorably.

Vera Sacchetti