a few moments of unity

An experiment in sound took place within a gazebo in South Park, Lawrence, KS. The date was Thusday, May 22nd, 2008. The weather was fair, being somewhere within 70 and 80 degrees. There was a slight over head of a storm, so the air was muggy. The time line was between 9:00 and 9:30 pm.

Purpose-
The objective of the experiment was too witness inactively or actively what would happen if many amplifiers (more than five) were placed close together (within two feet or less) and placed at top volume. A time limit of 30 minutes was vaguely set. If the amps created no sound, the option of manually altering the sound level was encouraged to create some response between the multiple amps. Simultaneously, the option of not altering any of the outputs or touching the amps was allowed.

Material-
The materials used were eight guitar and bass amplifiers. All of the amplifiers were of various sizes, models, and quality. Some of the amps were on the verge of breaking down, while others were of nearly perfect condition.

Three or four guitar cables were connected to the amps outputs and were manipulated with hands, other cables, or other amplifiers exterior outputs. One microphone that was created out of headphones was used by various amplifiers. The instruments aforementioned were manipulated and controlled at various moments within the duration of time allocated for the experiment.

Social Objective-
1. To create a sense of unity of creativity within the absence of controlled creativity. Controlled creativity is defined as a previously composed work or music or art. This experiment relied on the lack of precomposed work, therefore insuring it's quality of sound on the individuals immediate responses to the amplifiers.

2. To not use pre made materials that are typically performed to create music. (guitars, bass, keyboards, et cet) The amplifiers were performed as instruments themselves. Guitar cables and microphones were manipulated to create responses in the amplifiers.

3. To create a sense of unity within an artistic circle. The amplifiers provided for the performance belonged to various individuals and were willing brought forth by them for the experiment. The intention of creating companionship, compassion, and aesthetic appreciation of differences between what is largely considered an independent group was emphasized.

Participants-
Six males, middle class, early to mid twenties, various levels of college education.

Witnesses-
Two females, middle class, early to mid twenties, various levels of college education.
One homeless male, lower to middle class, mid thirties, education unknown.
One police men, middle class, mid thirties, education unknown.
Four males, middle class, early to mid twenties, various levels of college. (These men came did not witness the complete 30 minute duration)

Other notes
*Some of the participants and witnesses had consumed alcohol.
Pizza was also consumed.
** The participants and witnesses refers to the performance space in actual being. It should be noted that it took place within a park, therefore pedestrians were around the space at various times.

Questions that arose prior to and the answered that followed.
1. What would the amplifiers do? Would they create a hum? Create no sound at all? Or would they cause intense feedback?
A. The answers is yes to all of the above. However it must be noted that the degree of sound intensity was largely dependent upon the participants interactions with the materials.

2. Were the social intentions understood and at that, appreciated?
A. Responses varied between each of the individuals. Emotions of awe, freedom, hyperactivity, confusion, and serenity were abound. It must be noted that the response between each individual for another varied the general tone of the people involved.
For the most part, it seemed that the people were content and happy to have been apart of the sound experiment.

After thoughts-
Would the performance have been any different with more amplifiers? What if there was a large crowd watching? What if the crowd consisted of friends of the performers or foreign to them? Does the performance need to happen again? Where would the performance be performed again if it were to be done? Would a venue or house alter the sounds created? If so, how much?

Documentation-
The sounds created by the amps was recorded on a hand held tape recorded. Photographs were taken by both participants and witnesses of the performance.