*Sirenology* is a project that originates from my Master’s thesis at KTH (Stockholm, Sweden). Inspired by a hunch, I sought to recontextualize the air raid siren into a musical instrument. Tracing its history, I uncovered ways in which the siren facilitates the exploration of sound in the physical, philosophical and embodied plains. The project is an invitation to challenge hegemonic ideas relating to sound, music and instruments. A document detailing my research findings is now public, I will share it upon request via email.
This is an ongoing project that takes the form of:
- a workshop
- live performances
- and fixed media pieces
Photo credit: Laura McHugh
# A Workshop on Acoustic Synthesis
Electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire reflects on how the sound of the air raid sirens sparked her fascination with abstract sounds. She found meaning in these sounds beyond their literal source, saying “that’s electronic music!". How can a siren become a musical instrument when recontextualized? This workshop delves into this idea by crafting and playing with acoustic sirens.
We will examine the siren's lesser-known history as a scientific tool, preceding its ubiquitous function as an alarm and warning mechanism. In the 19th century, acousticians used it to study the ideas of frequency, phase, interference, combination tones and human perception. The exploration of this historical context and ideas will guide us as we design our own siren disks, in an attempt to collectively reimagine its functionality once again.
During the workshop we will have the opportunity to craft siren disks and explore techniques to play on them. The blank disks are a blank slate where we sculpt a physical representation of our ideas on sound. We will learn how to leverage the absolute control the siren gives us over the acoustically-generated sound, how the size and placement of holes on the disks manipulates airflow. The foundation of this technique is an acoustic synthesis system for sirens, dynamically shaped by the collective discoveries of each workshop. The gathering culminates in a showcase where we share our material creations and playing techniques, generating a repository of shared sonic epistemes. You will leave the workshop with the disks you have crafted, and a newfound collective imaginary on the nature of sirens and their sonic expression.
# Presented at
- Acoustic Synthesis Workshop at [Elektronmusikstudion EMS](https://web.archive.org/web/20240615010824/https://elektronmusikstudion.se/courses/tillfaelliga-kurser/1519-workshop-acoustic-synthesis) (Stockholm, SE) in June 2024
- Acoustic Synthesis Workshop at [Fylkingen](https://www.fylkingen.se/en/events/konstmusiksystrar-10-years) (Stockholm, SE) for Konstmusiksystrar 10 years! in September 2024
- 𓇻 Upcoming 𓇻 Siren live performance at [Fylkingen](https://fylkingen.se/en/events/paradoxical-potentials) (Stockholm, SE) in June 2025
- 𓇻 Upcoming 𓇻 Acoustic Synthesis Workshop at Mutan-Lab in June 2025 (Barcelona, ES)
Photo credit: Anna Drvnik
Photo credit: Valerie Mol