Maritime Sound, New Haven, CT

2002, Fusco Corporation, Parking Garage
New Haven, CT

Maritime Sound, an interactive “soundwork” located on the ground floor of Fusco Corporation’s Long Wharf elevator bank, is composed of a series of interactive sensors contained in two aluminum cases suspended from the overhead concrete beams. As a pedestrian reaches up and waves a hand in front of a sensor, he activates a light beacon and a series of melodic and environmental sounds. The mix of instruments and audio samples are from the area’s real and imagined past, present, and future—from the sound of rigging swaying on ancient sailboats, to foghorns, to the sounds of futuristic star ships and underwater cities.

Pedestrians can also decipher a “riddle” etched on a plaque to trigger the sensors in a specific order. If the riddle is solved, the piece answers with “sound image” of its own.

Project credits:

Lynn Fusco/Fusco Corporation; Phil Franklin/Project Manager; Mark Wong’MIDI Programmer; Joy Wulke.

Project sponsors:

Apple Computer; BOSE Corporation; Rockwell International/ Allen-Bradley Photoswitch