Emergent Resonances is an interactive audiovisual work inspired by cicada choruses, designed to explore collective coherence in contemporary social and technological environments. Participants become an integral part of a decentralized sonic organism whose strength and coherence arise through mutual attunement. The piece investigates "mutual benefit" as emergent resonance—a collective negotiation of rhythm and relation across human, animal, and technological bodies.

The project draws its core mechanism from the adaptive strategy of cicada groups, which synchronize the buzzing of vibrating membranes on their bodies to create choruses that rise and fade in repeating cycles. By merging their individual sounds into one overwhelming wave, cicadas confuse and deter predators, leading the swarm to be perceived as a single, powerful organism.

This biological behaviour serves as a metaphor for human collective action, particularly in digital spaces, where individuals share knowledge and "flock" around events to amplify value and make their voices louder through collective action. Emergent Resonances translates this concept into a playful, participatory performance within an exhibition space, exploring the intersection of social dynamics and technology.

Please feel free to download full version of presentation

here

Inspiration paper:

Mechtley, B., Walter, J. A., Sheppard, L. W., & Reuman, D. C. (2020). Self-organizing cicada choruses respond to the local sound and light environment. Ecology and Evolution.

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