Dream and Reality:
10n Operations in 10 Hours for the Security of a Town


Data Sound Windows


The bell tower of the Parochial Church once played an important role for the security of the town population. The bells warned of fire, storm or war, and called the people to to get their weapons as well as to come to pray. In this way, the bells took over an important function for communication in th inner city of Berlin.

Within the framework of the "data sound windows" installation, the bells are replaced by the computer. A green window that is made up of computer circuit boards that let light in has been installed in the former bell room. Computer noise, made up of clicking, rattling and sonorous humming, echoes out of the plate window into the room. Mouse, printer, keyboard and ventilator are the audio requisites of this staging of computer technique.

In the assemblage of switching pictures, the computer circuit boards come to symbolize the digitally networked city. The strip conductors resemble streets and are structured after the principle of the maximized space economy, just like the lay-out of the building elements speak of city apartment constructions.

Real computer sounds are transposed as electro-mechanical, electrical tensions in the audible range, or taken directly from the circuit board and made audible. These processes are triggered directly from the exhibition visitors via a distance converter. Visitor«s movements can steer acoustic and visual data window signals. Thus, approaching the math operations symbol lightens up displays and activates digital signals.