Kymat, the images that you create on the surface of water with the help of sound are an interplay between chaos and order. Which state do you prefer? That is a vital question. Without order, there is no chaos, and vice versa. If I had to choose, then I like order better. I love images that exude harmony and which make sound visible.
KYMAT
Conjuring Stars in a Dish of Water
People
At the heart of the “future of audio” are people – inspired individuals who dare to give shape to their creative vision and artistic imagination. Decision makers who prefer to reach their audiences and customers through great audio. Audio lovers who work relentlessly on innovative projects, who redefine and recreate sound experiences that touch the very souls of their listeners. “People” is dedicated to all those musicians, artists, engineers, producers, decision makers, owners and audio designers who fill and shape our world with sensational sound.
As the Official Audio Partner of Art Basel in Hong Kong, which takes place from 23-25 March, Sennheiser will present both its vision for shaping the future of the audio world through innovation and its Future Audio Artist Program, which supports cutting-edge sound artists in their work. One of those artists is KYMAT.
KYMAT
Good Vibrations & Visualizing Sound
A presentation by Art Basel / Hong Kong
„It is fascinating to make sound visible.“
Hong Kong is a place that seems to unify chaos and order. Did the city inspire the work of art „creative sonority“ that you will present at Art Basel? My original idea was to integrate the city into my performance. I am now making a film about the phenomenon behind this experiment. It's about cymatics, the art of making sound visible using elements such as water or sand.
I am currently trying to figure out how to integrate a reference to Hong Kong into the film. But I haven't yet come up with anything that I don't find too hackneyed. I hate employing clichés.
Hong Kong is a place that seems to unify chaos and order. Did the city inspire the work of art „creative sonority“ that you will present at Art Basel? My original idea was to integrate the city into my performance. I am now making a film about the phenomenon behind this experiment. It's about cymatics, the art of making sound visible using elements such as water or sand.
I am currently trying to figure out how to integrate a reference to Hong Kong into the film. But I haven't yet come up with anything that I don't find too hackneyed. I hate employing clichés.
Do you have a favorite sound that you think creates the most beautiful water images? There are a couple of frequencies that make outstanding images. For example, 68.5 hertz, which is the Earth's frequency. It forms a star with 12 points and it is always harmonious, creating an image reminiscent of a sunflower. Experts say that each planet in our solar system has its own frequency, and each of these frequencies looks great.
Alpha waves, which are normally at a frequency of 8 hertz, also result in beautiful images. In the middle of the water, a classic drop is formed. I almost can't hear the sound, but I can see the movement. It is fascinating to make sound visible.
„With the cello, I wondered if it really did sound as good in reality as it did in the recording. It feels as though I were there live.“
„It is a dream to work with Sennheiser equipment. I feel like a kid in a candy store.“
What role do Sennheiser microphones play in your film „creative sonority“? My film wouldn't be possible without the MKH 8020, MKH 8040, MK 8 and MD 441 microphones. Technology from Sennheiser fits in extremely well with my concept.
In my recordings, bass tones are particularly important. The MK 8 is able to capture extremely low frequencies, those, for example, at around 20 hertz, which I can hardly hear myself. At those registers, the microphone does outstanding work.
I use the microphones MKH 8040 and MKH 8020 for extremely delicate recordings, such as the purring of a cat or the sound of a cello. When I then listen to the recordings, it sounds like the cat is sitting with me on my lap. With the cello, I wondered if it really did sound as good in reality as it did in the recording. It feels as though I were there live.
Plus, many of Sennheiser's products have a totally cool look. The MD 441 microphone -- I call it the "shaver" -- reminds me of the 1970s. I love that period. For Kymat, I actually transform myself into a crazy professor who looks like he comes out of the 1970s.
What does it mean to you to be chosen for Sennheiser's Future Audio Artist Program? It's fantastic. I am totally excited to be able to take part in this program. It is a dream to work with Sennheiser equipment. I feel like a kid in a candy store. Plus, I've never before been to Hong Kong, so that is certainly going to be exciting.
Sennheiser adheres to the maxim: "Shape the Future of Audio." What do you think the future of the audio industry will look like? It is difficult for me to imagine technology getting even better than it is today. Where can it go from here? There are noise-cancelling headphones, 5.1 has replaced stereo technology and 3-D sound is on its way. Sound just keeps getting richer.
It is only in the music industry where I hope that a bomb goes off soon. Currently, it is an extremely dirty business -- totally like McDonalds. We are being served up one burger after another.
You used to compose advertising jingles and organized a hemp festival in Hamburg. Did marijuana play any role in your discovery of the relaxing genre of cymatics? One might think so, but I discovered cymatics in a moment of total clarity. I enjoy listening to music in bed. The music I listened to while falling asleep back then was very esoteric. Because I am an instrument nerd and love Fender Rhodes and the Hammond organ, I began composing my own bedtime music. From there, I moved to sound therapy and then ultimately discovered cymatics.
In an interview, you once said that you see your concerts as "visualised sound therapy." What did you mean by that? The music that I use to create sound images in water combines various elements of sound therapy. Often, for example, I use Solfeggio frequencies, which serve as the basis for Gregorian chants, and planetary frequencies. Alpha waves also have a very soothing effect. These are all frequencies you perceive shortly before falling asleep or during deep meditation. My concerts should be relaxing and pleasing for both the eye and the ear.
What sort of "music therapy" are you hoping to provide your viewers and listeners in Hong Kong? Whenever I have presented my art in Asia, I have found the people there to be extremely open. Mandalas are much more present in their culture than they are for us. They are often able to quickly understand the connection between my music and the sound-water images. And they are often quite excited about them. I am looking forward to seeing if the same will hold true in Hong Kong.
Kymat's art can be seen on his Facebook page or his website.
