Bunyi Bunga is an algorithmic exploration of the soundscape of Kuala Lumpur Transit Station. Each sculptural work is a
unique documentation of the auditory and spatial journey of three transit stations in the city namely KL Sentral, Bukit Bintang and KLCC. We were
fascinated by the soundscape of these rail transit stations. These are the converging point where several transit routes would meet and also a place
where passengers are exchanged between vehicles or between transport mode. One of the most striking aspects that can be noticed while travelling through
these transits is the flow of people moving. This stream of people is a sonic flow that forms an acoustic identity that recounts fragments of life in transit.
Through fabrication techniques, the sound fragments were transformed into matter. Audience are invited to not just listen to the soundscape, but also to
‘see’ the soundscape. The dominating sounds maintain a wavy shape, while layered and complex noises take on the form of spikes.
TECHNICAL STATEMENT
The sound was visualized with a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm called Blackman Window that computes the discrete Fourier transform of a sequence:
W[n] = 0.42 - (0.5 * COS(n/N) ) + (0.08 * COS(2.0 * n/N) )
The fourier analysis converts the audio signal to a representation in frequency and the waves were vectorised to be brought into matter with laser cutting. The individual laser cut sound waves representing a flower petal were arranged revolving a circle and turned out much like a flower, hence the title “Bunyi Bunga”. This fabrication sculpture demonstrates the transcoding potential of soundwave data into tangible form.
Following are the time and duration of the soundscape of the transit stations
1. KL Sentral, 30/10/2019, 11:45:05-12:45:15
2. Bukit Bintang, 08/11/2019, 12:48:30-13:49:04
3. KLCC, 06/11/2019, 12:03:22-13:10:08
Experience and witness sounds of KL bloom before your eyes at Medan Pasar.
