Phaser/Sleeper/Whisper

How do we perceive sound? How does our brain (re)construct waves captured by our ears? Is what we hear really what's being sent out?

'Phaser/Sleeper/Whisper' is a sound installation in three parts, dealing with shifting perceptions and spatial notions of sound.

'Phaser' presents modulated frequencies, travelling around while changing pitch, affecting each other in the process. The listener's perception is tricked through techniques such as phase cancellation and a quad speaker setup.

'Sleeper' and 'Whisper' both play on shifting human voices, slowly fusing to form a strange, unnatural language. Susanne Bentley's processed voice is modulated out of phase, with spatial sound design adding an uncanny element of sonic trickery.

The setup of 'Phaser/Sleeper/Whisper' requires a dark and isolated room. No visuals are used - no light is present.

'Phaser/Sleeper/Whisper' was first presented at the Subliminal festival, Beursschouwburg, Brussels, 2005.

Composition and sound design: Peter Van Hoesen
Production: Foton vzw