Buqs

‘Buqs’ are electronic life forms from the minds of Teun Verkerk and Joris Hoogeboom that invade surfaces within the built environment and use them for the creation of sounds. They explore the city as an instrument through it’s material properties. These little critters autonomously produce noise and sounds based on what their sensors can pick up from the materials and soundscape in the vicinity, bringing out the sounds of objects, surfaces and materials you wouldn’t usually hear.

The Buqs were commissioned by the European Cities of Advanced Sound network (ECAS) within their project Networking Tomorrow’s Art For an Unknown Future. They debuted at TodaysArt in September 2013, where Buqs could be found fixed to various surfaces around and inside the building, ticking and picking away with their little motor-driven hammers and piezo pick-ups. In the coming days, they will be present at Insomnia (Tromsø, Norway, 19 – 26 October 2013) and FutureEverything (Manchester, March 2014)

We could wax poetic about the experience of these little autonomous sound makers, but its probably best if you come see/hear it for yourself. At Coded Matter(s) #2: Sound Hackers these little critters will be above, below and around you, knocking some previously unheard music out of the freshly renovated halls and chambers of de Brakke Grond.

In the meantime, be sure to check out their page for more pictures of manufacturing, prototypes and Buqs in the wild!