Echo effects

Silo #5, that gigantic cement construct in the old port by the Quai des Écluses, will soon become the world's biggest Internet-compatible piece of sonic architecture. Silophone is the brainchild of [The User], the duo of architect Thomas McIntosh and composer Emmanuel Madan, whose last project involved using old dot-matrix printers as musical instruments.

Inspired by "transformations of similarly imposing industrial sites in Europe such as La Fonderie in Brussels and Emscher Park in Germany's Ruhr," [The User] explains its "self-imposed and inexplicable task is to sift a few pertinent grains from the beach of noise."

Starting June 9 until June 2001, folks around the globe will be able to "inject" noise into the concrete echo chambers of the edifice by calling (toll-free) 1-877-511-SILO (844-5555 in Montreal), or via the Web at www.silophone.net, 24 hours a day. The sounds will then be broadcast on the Net. There will also be a series of concerts held outside the Silo, with the noises being sent in, projected out and recorded for broadcast on Radio-Canada's Chaine culturelle. A CD, a catalogue of events, a guided tour of Grain Elevator #5B and an exhibit at the Centre d'histoire de Montréal are all in the works. Silophone's official inauguration, in association with Quartier Éphémère and la Société des arts technologiques, takes place in front of the Silophone (corners Prince and de la Commune), Friday, June 9 at 8 p.m., with a performance by [The User]. : --Genevieve Paiement

... more arts