2011
180x100x100cm
brass, wood, electronic circuits, steel string and printer scrap
Private collection
The Virus is a machine that produces automatic and random music. It has three strings that vibrate constantly through an electronic feedback circuit. Each feedback circuit consists of a pickup, an amplifier and a solenoid. Small vibrations in the string are captured and amplified. The amplified signal is transmitted to the solenoid that generates a magnetic field at the same vibration frequency as the string. The string then begins to vibrate infinitely. An internal program controls the movement of the solenoid up and down randomly. Changes in the position of the solenoid in relation to the string produce variations in harmonics. The work has an active period that varies from 3 to 7 minutes and a sleep period of one minute where the work remains silent. Every sound is inspired by the sound that a real virus produces when attacking a cell.
