Japanese musician uses Bugscope in local collaboration

An at times, puzzled, sometimes bemused, often delighted audience was introduced to the Bugscope at the Spark Festival this week.

Visiting sound artist Haco performed her first live partnership at Wintec last night using her award-winning Bugscope system – Bugloop.

Alongside sound artist Kent Macpherson who at times was dropping stones into specially designed and locally blown big scientific tubes, the pair improvised with household items such as a ceramic pot, egg slicer, melting ice, a howling pot, and pans.

Haco and Kent Macpherson in conversation before the performance. Photo: Tom Eley
Haco and Kent Macpherson in conversation before the performance. Photo: Tom Eley

Microphones were submerged in both boiling water and ice, while the Bugscope recorded background effects.

Graphic designer Luke McConnell, provided a lighting display of 3-D projections from above that appeared onto a pyramid placed in the centre of the room.

The three performed in front of a large crowd, surprising Macpherson, as smaller groups are a usual audience.

Haco is inspired by working with other artists and the partnership with Macpherson has been another enjoyable learning experience.

β€œI enjoy collaboration very much. It’s not hard work,” Haco said.

Macpherson says the Bugscope is not just about the sound created. He says music is a noise and anything can make a sound, but it is what the listener did with that sound that made it unique.