Began as an installation piece and evolved into a performance piece, Unearthly Vibrations explores a sonic and vibratory collaboration between human and non-human bodies.

As multiple vibrators freely move in an aquarium, I capture their sounds using electromagnetic field (EMF) sensors. These sensors enable the listening of various frequencies and harmonics that the unique internal electronics and oscillation rates of the vibrators produce. I then process the sounds using modular synthesis. As the vibrators interact with each other due to the magnetic properties of their bodies, they push and pull on one another, resulting in a dynamic and ever-changing spatial environment within the aquarium. In my role as their human collaborator, I listen to the vibrators' sounds and respond to their movements. By doing so, I am able to contribute to and shape our mutually created soundscape and explore the agency of non-human actors. Unearthly Vibrations initially started as an installation piece as part of the Queer Paranormal exhibition. It was installed at Jennings Hall, the building that inspired Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House." In the installation setup, the sonic choreography of the multiple vibrators was captured and amplified through EMI sensors. This soundscape was then reproduced as a multichannel (8-channel) piece via custom-made speakers placed in a long hallway at the Jennings Music building. Later, I began to perform with Unearthly Vibrations and realized the potential of this unique collaboration.

Lately, Unearthly Vibrations has been reimagined for spatial audio (quad, octophonic cube, Ambisonics), to emphasize the dynamic spatial relationship between these non-human bodies and their environment, as well as with their human collaborator.