Sonic Sphere

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The Sonic Sphere is a multisensory, spherical concert hall that has been installed in various areas across the world since 2021. [1]

Contents

The hall combines 3D light and sound within its live performances. It includes a large number of speakers, creating an immersive soundscape that surrounds the audience, along with lighting effects on the sphere's surface. [2] [3] [4]

The design, inspired by Karlheinz Stockhausen's 1970 Kugelauditorium, features lounge-type seating and giant nets for guests to lie on.

Sonic Sphere NYC, 2023.jpg

History and background

The Sonic Sphere was created by Ed Cooke (author), Merijn Royaards, and Nicholas Christie. The project has developed over a series of iterations, with the first version installed at the Chateau du Feÿ commune. The sphere has additionally appeared in London, Mexico, at Black Rock City, and in Miami. [5]

KA9 and KA10

The 9th version of Sonic Sphere, known as KA9, was featured at Burning Man in 2022. [6]

KA9 was upgraded and enhanced to appear at Love Burn in Miami in February 2023 as KA10. [7]

KA11 at The Shed, New York

The 11th iteration of this project, made its debut at The Shed in New York City's Hudson Yards in June 2023. [8] [9] [10] The Sonic Sphere measures 65 feet in diameter and was suspended within The Shed's 115-foot-tall McCourt space. [11] [12] [13] KA11 included 124 loudspeakers surrounding up to 250 people with sound from all directions. [14]


The artists that exhibited at the Sonic Sphere in New York included Steve Reich, with his work "Music for 18 Musicians." Additionally, the event featured listening sessions of music remixed for spatial sound design, such as the xx's debut album from 2009. DJs Yaeji and Carl Craig contributed playlists, and pianist Igor Levit performed Morton Feldman's "Palais de Mari," accompanied by visuals from Rirkrit Tiravanija. [15] [16]

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References

  1. ↑ Hernández, Javier C. (23 June 2023). "Enter the 50-Ton Concert Hall That Hangs Like a Disco Ball". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "The Shed debuts Sonic Sphere suspended musical feature". Archinect. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Shed presents Sonic Sphere, a multisensory spherical concert hall". Art Daily. June 9, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  4. ↑ "luminous, floating concert hall will open this weekend at the SHED". Designboom. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  5. ↑ "The Shed presents Sonic Sphere, a revolutionary new architectural space/multisensory spherical concert hall suspended in The Shed's soaring McCourt". City Life Org. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  6. ↑ Mullenweg, Matt (August 2022). "Sonic Sphere and Empyrean Gate". ma.tt. Matt Mullenweg. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  7. ↑ "A suspended spherical concert hall will hang in The Shed at Hudson Yards". 6sqft. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  8. ↑ Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner (May 8, 2023). "A multi-sensory suspended spherical concert hall is opening at Hudson Yards". Time Out. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Sonic Sphere at Hudson Yards offers an out-of-this-world music experience". amNewYork. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  10. ↑ Dimanlig, Adrian. "Viewspoints – Uniquely fascinating sonic/visual experiences at The Shed: The exquisitely intimate Kagami and the grandiose Sonic Sphere". Interludes. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  11. ↑ Elissaveta M. Brandon (June 16, 2023). "How The Shed's Sonic Sphere became the show of the summer". Fast Company. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  12. ↑ "The Shed Presents Mid-Air Concert Hall, SONIC SPHERE". Broadway World. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  13. ↑ "Sonic Sphere: Redefining Modernist Vision at The Shed in NYC". stupidDOPE. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  14. ↑ Hayes, Shawn (October 9, 2023). "The Sonic Sphere Concert Hall: Suspended in Air". AVNetwork. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  15. ↑ Hernández, Javier C. (June 23, 2023). "Sonic Sphere Exhibition in New York". The New York Times.
  16. ↑ "The Shed announces Sonic Sphere concert hall w/ yunè pinku, UNIIQU3, Madame Gandhi, more". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
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