Cryptic Artist Robbie Thomson brings a new version of XFRMR (Transformer) to An Lanntair in Stornoway, an intense high voltage performance that sculpts experimental sounds from arcs of plasma created by the Tesla coil.
Invented in 1891 by revolutionary scientist Nikola Tesla, the Tesla coil creates vivid discharges of electricity that stream from the device like bolts of lightning. Inspired by this phenomenon, Thomson has explored the sonic potential of the Tesla coil as a musical instrument to create XFRMR, an audiovisual voyage into physics and electro acoustic synthesis.
Thomson uses the coil to crank out distorted musical tones and percussive stabs, in a composition inspired by sessions sampling the chaos of the radio spectrum and the fractal beauty of the tree-like Lichtenberg figures created by the arcs, which offer a glimpse into the subatomic relationships that govern the universe. Enshrined in a metallic Faraday cage and accompanied by audio-reactive projections, lighting, and the smell of ozone, XFRMR is a visceral assault on the senses.
“It’s a thrilling moment; as ever, the boldest sonic and visual gestures are the most meaningful.” The Wire
“a truly awesome mix of theatre, music and visual art… one of the most exciting and ambitious works I have seen lately, both celebrating and criticising technological advancement” The Skinny *****
