HEXADECA

An inclusive participatory art installation empowering audiences to engage with music through collaborative play.

About

HEXADECA is a participatory work empowering people from all walks of life to engage with music and art through multi-generational, all-inclusive play. This architecturally designed, music making playground draws upon sensor activated music triggering technology and collaborations with leading Australian musicians to invite the public to become the conductor. As the audience spin in custom constructed fiberglass seats they unknowingly activate portions of a musical score, only revealing the track in its entirety when each seat is occupied.

HEXADECA encourages multi-generational, all-inclusive play, because regardless of your physical ability, age or culture, joy and play are human. Sound is a cornerstone of the work and the element that coalesces HEXADECA, transforming the structure from a playground to a participatory work of art. The core music for the work has been custom composed and recorded by 8 Australian artists.

The tracks range from electronic to choral to brass to beatboxing and everything in between. Regardless of when each segment of the track is introduced, it aligns seamlessly to ensure a consistently satisfying aural experience no matter how many seats are spinning. The existing hour-long soundtrack can be used on its own or musicians can be commissioned to create new tracks for the project which can either be played.

Logistics

HEXADECA travels in a 20’ shipping container and the Pulsing Heart team installs the work in half a day. You supply a reasoably flat space and some power and we’ll do the rest. The work can be presented indoors or out in various configurations to suit all sorts of public spaces.

Sizing

20m x 20m

Support

Australia Council of the Arts, Government of South Australia

Music

Aurora (YAV) & Keira Simmons, Tim Koch, Belinda Gehlert,Kiah Gossner, Lewis But-Husaim, Rob Edwards, Adam Page, Tom Thum

Credits

Artist and creative producer: Joren Dawson 
Producer: Jascha Boyce 
Design & production lead: Jake Jenkins
Design & technical consultant: Simon Modra 
Tech wizard: David Musch of Mapped Design 
Coding & hardware support: NextFaze

Making of HEXADECA