Open lab note 2023-02-08, the vibration of the floor

Kinetech Arts has resumed its in-person open lab, now at 836M Gallery. It has been a remarkable and heart-warming experience for its participants. We can once again delve into the intersection of dance and technology through hands-on engagement in a real and tangible space.

The towering structure located in the upper right corner is the renowned Trans America building. In 1948, the site it now occupies was actually underwater. Montgomery Street served as the shoreline, and the location of the 836M Gallery was situated directly above the water.

Just around the corner, Pacific Ave between Montgomery and Kearny was once the hub of entertainment, teeming with dance halls and bars. Shanghaiing (a practice of drugging a young man, throw him aboard a ship sailing out to sea) was once a common practice.

For our project at 836M, we constructed a cymatic acrylic water tank - a 3'x6' acrylic box with a mirrored finish on the bottom. High-powered transducers were used to vibrate the water, creating standing waves. To our surprise, the vibrations caused the entire floor to shake, inspiring everyone in the room to lay down and experience the sensation. This serendipitous moment then naturally led to impromptu improvisations.

Continuing the tradition from the past three years, the lab also offers online participation. Jiara joined from Shanghai, as evidenced by the highway visible through her window in the collage. The bottom of the collage depicts individuals experimenting with the cymatic water tank

Lab will be back next Wednesday Feb 15th.