MATERIA VIBRANTE (SONORA) – VIBRANT MATTER (SONIC)
Animist cosmologies manifesting into an electroacoustic sonic and techno-ecological performance of vibrant matter, wherein the originating energy of life-mind resides and is manifest in all things and natural phenomena.
Artist, Marta Ferracin, performing at Materia Vibrante (Sonora) - Vibrant matter (Sonic)’s opening (detail)
Video of the opening performance Materia Vibrante (Sonora) - Vibrant matter (Sonic) (extract)
Materia Vibrante (Sonora) - Vibrant matter (Sonic) video mix filming the organic materials to vibrate, shake, tremble, activated by multi-track audio composition that delivers selected sounds to each speaker (extract)
Materia Vibrante (Sonora) - Vibrant matter (Sonic) (2016) is an investigation into, and intuitive expression of, the notion of Universal Consciousness, learning from and bridging to human cultures that remain in deep contact with indigenous ecosystems through their animist cosmologies. Wherein the originating energy of life-mind resides and is manifest in all things and natural phenomena.
Materia Vibrante (Sonora) is the manifestation of an electroacoustic installation called Techno Entheogen, developed by Ferracin during a 2015 Largo das Artes’ residency in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
In 2016, back in Australia, during an ecotravel in Arnhem Land Ferracin directly experienced and adapted to her work, the Yolŋu Aboriginal understanding of our universe as an ever negotiated system of balance between Yirritja (water) and Dhuwa (earth) moiety entities.
Comprising an array of 32 suspended speaker cones hanging at navel height in loose clusters, Materia Vibrante (Sonora) begins as a still, silent, empty sculptural presence imbued with potential.
The installation is performatively activated by the simultaneous introduction of electronic sound signals and diverse material elements collected by the artist from a variety of ecological sources. Many were collected on her daily walks through suburban streets and nearby bushland, noticing and gathering the changing seasonal offerings. The artist’s actions complete this sculptural system of techno- ecology synthesis.
Her multi-track audio composition delivers selected sounds to each speaker, causing the introduced materials to vibrate, shake, tremble, dance.
Artwork details
| Artwork | Convergences (2016) |
| Material | Mixed media, 32 speaker cones (various), collected natural materials (various),black polyester string, electrical cabling, amplifiers, soundboard, laptop, 8-track digital soundscape |
| Dimensions | 4(L) x 3(W) x 3(H) metres |
| Duration sound | 30:00 min (loop) |
| Exhibition |
Marta Ferracin: Recent Works
Articulate project space, Leichhardt, NSW, AU 19 February - 6 March Artist talk 6 March |
| Links | Exhibition room sheet Tina Perotto article Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism |
Credits
Soundscape
Marta Ferracin
Sound designer
Paul Vane Mason
Opening performance
Marta Ferracin, Pamela Leung, Christopher Verheyden
Voice recording and soundtracks
Marta Ferracin, Paul Vane Mason, Gary Warner
Photos and video
Corey Rankin; Gary Warner; courtesy of Djawundil from Bawaka Country and Yolŋu Aboriginal people, Arnhem Land - Lirrwi Yolngu Tourism Aboriginal Corporation; courtesy of the visitors
Curator
Gary Warner
Provision of the Exhibition Space
Articulate project space
© Marta Ferracin 2025 Website by Natalia
Installation assistant Christopher Verheyden