Espèces d’Espaces / Species of Spaces by Ricardo Atienza Badel

Espèces d’Espaces / Species of Spaces is an artistic research project funded by Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts & Design. Its overall focus is the experience of sonic spaces, the intimate relation between body, surrounding space and its exclusive sonic expression. With a practice-based approach, this project pays specific attention to physic acoustics auralisation methods and tools (3D virtual sonic modelling) with an aim to explore in particular how can these processes be transposed to the realm of artistic research. As a part of this project, we will share in this exposition a case study based on a specific space and construction: a XVIIth century cloister preserved today as a central element of the extension of Museo del Prado in Madrid as planned by architect Rafael Moneo at the beginning of the 2000. This cloister was previously a main component of the monastic ensemble of San Jerónimo el Real. This case study at Prado’s cloister starts thus in the realm of traditional architectural acoustics (measurement, 3D graphic modelling and auralisation) for later performing a series of experiments in the form of spatial and temporal variations and displacements. Experiments based on a number of artistic architectural (alternative realities of a space) and sonic/musical practices including improvisation or electroacoustic composition.

Introduction

Espèces d’Espaces / Species of Spaces is an artistic research project funded by Konstfack University of Arts, Crafts & Design.

Its overall focus is the experience of sonic spaces, the intimate relation between body, surrounding space and its exclusive sonic expression.

With a practice-based approach, this project pays specific attention to physic acoustics auralisation methods and tools (3D virtual sonic modelling) with an aim to explore in particular how can these processes be transposed to the realm of artistic research.

As a part of this project, we will share in this exposition a case study based on a specific space and construction: a XVII^thcentury cloister preserved today as a central element of the extension of Museo del Prado in Madrid as planned by architect Rafael Moneo at the beginning of the 2000. This cloister was previously a main component of the monastic ensemble of San Jerónimo el Real.

This case study at Prado’s cloister starts thus in the realm of traditional architectural acoustics (measurement, 3D graphic modelling and auralisation) for later performing a series of experiments in the form of spatial and temporal variations and displacements. Experiments based on a number of artistic architectural (alternative realities of a space) and sonic/musical practices including improvisation or electroacoustic composition.

Please check this page for a sonic album linked to this experiment.

Bibliography

Abel, Jonathan et al. (2013): Recreation of the acoustics of Hagia Sophia in Stanford’s Bing Concert Hall for the concert performance and recording of Cappella Romana. International Symposium on Room Acoustics (ISRA). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261403555_Recreation_of_the_acoustics_of_Hagia_Sophia_in_Stanford%27s_Bing_Concert_Hall_for_the_concert_performance_and_recording_of_Cappella_Romana

Dautrey, Jehanne (2007) : Une hétérotopie musicale : la collaboration entre Renzo Piano et Luigi Nono sur Prometeo, Rue Descartes 2007/2, N° 56, p. 8-20. https://www.cairn.info/revue-rue-descartes-2007-2-page-8.htm

Deruty,Emmanuel (2010):Creative Convolution: New Sounds From Impulse Responses, Sound on Sound September 2010.https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/creative-convolution-new-sounds-impulse-responses https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/creative-convolution

Kanach, Sharon (2006): Iannis Xenakis, Musique de l'architecture. Parenthèses

Sterne,Jonathan (2015): Space within Space: Artificial Reverb and the Detachable Echo, Grey Room, 60, 2015, 125, http://sterneworks.org/reverb--sterne.pdf

Xenakis, Iannis (1971) : Musique. Architecture. Casterman, Tournai, 160 p.

Documents on Museo del Prado’s extension

Cadiñanos Bardeci, Inocencio (2007):Los claustros del monasterio de San Jerónimo el Real https://archivoespañoldearte.revistas.csic.es/index.php/aea/article/view/42 Archivo Español de Arte 80 (319): 247-259. ISSN 1988-8511

Chueca Goitia, Fernando (1972): project for extending Museo del Prado, including documentation on the cloister’s original configuration. https://ahdb.upm.es/index.php/museo-del-prado-proyecto-de-ampliacion-y-acondicionamiento-pasadizo-de-enlace

https://www.museodelprado.es/en/museum/jeronimos-extension

https://www.viendomadrid.com/2010/02/san-jeronimo-el-real-los-jeronimos.html#axzz7fJXyxpsw

B&W images of Prado’s cloister at the start of XXth century: http://www.memoriademadrid.es

Reference tools (auralisation, room acoustics, graphic programming)

AmbiX, Ambisonic plug-in suite by Matthias Kronlachner: www.matthiaskronlachner.com/?p=2015

EVERTims, Open source framework for real-time auralisation in architectural acoustics and virtual reality. LIMSI/CNRS - TKK/Department of Media Technology - IRCAM. https://evertims.github.io/

IEM Plug-in Suite, Open-Source audio plugin suite including Ambisonic plug-ins. Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics, Graz: https://plugins.iem.at/

PureData, Open-Source graphic programming environment: https://puredata.info/

REW, Open-Source software for room acoustics measurement: https://www.roomeqwizard.com/

Reference sound pieces exploring similar space-related issues

Pierre Boulez (1985): Dialogue de l’ombre double, for clarinet and electroacoustics.

Janet Cardiff (1991-): AudioWalks. https://cardiffmiller.com/walks/

Hanna Hartmann (2002): Färjesånge. Elektron, Sweden.

Luigi Nono (1984): Prometeo. Tragedia dell’ascolto, for vocal and instrumental soloists, mixed chorus, four instrumental ensembles and live electronics . San Lorenzo, Venezia.

Pauline Oliveros (1989): Suiren. Deep Listening. Vocal and instrumental improvisations.

Alain Savouret (1974): Sonate Barroque . CD edition. Chrysopée électronique – Bourges.

Barry Truax (2013): Earth & Steel, 2013 The Elements and Beyond (CD). Cambridge Street Records CD.

Iannis Xenakis (1977-78): Diatope, multimedia installation for the inauguration of Centre Pompidou, Paris. La Legende d'Eer, electroacoustic composition for Diatope.

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