LOT-EK
SOUND CHANNEL for BitStreams @ the Whitney

a listening 'channel' to explore different pieces of sound art

completed

2001

location

Whitney Museum of American Art, Madison avenue

size

1,000 SF

client

Whitney Museum of American Art

commission

Larry Rinder and Debra Singer, curators

type

exhibition design

photography

Danny Bright

awards

concept & vision

a space to experience and celebrate sound and its art, Sound-Channel is a listening "channel" to comfortably experience 25 different sound pieces selected for the BitStreams exhibit

design & architecture

we attempt to visualize a space for sound art. We begin with an exposed metal-stud wall frame as the intro to the Bitstreams' exhibit right across the museum's elevator. Media players are inserted in this wall frame wrapped with clear plastic tarp. Fifty fluorescent tubes, wrapped in dark blue gels, are also attached to this frame - they record actively viewed/occupied pieces by turning on and off on the outer space of the channel

program & use

we attempt to visualize a space for sound art by allocating one specific area for each piece. Visitors relax by leaning against a diagonal acoustic-foam wall where each piece is accessible on its own set of headphones connected to a dedicated CD player. Each spot is marked by a pink sensor and includes a brief description of the artist and their sound piece

impact & significance

the fluorescent tubes are activated by sensors that are obstructed when visitors lean against the foam wall. From outside the installation, within the exhibition lobby, visitors are partially visible as they lean and listen, creating a long row of bodies and gaps that, together with the rhythm of on/off fluorescent tubes, echo the sequence of ones and zeros that constitute a "bit stream." Fluorescent yellow tape on the floor leads visitors to marked listening stations

Dec 12, 2025

WE START WITH THE THINGS WE FIND

WE START WITH THE THINGS WE FIND