STORIES FROM THE REEDS

The project Stories from the Reeds was realised as part of the festival Sonic Fragilities which took place at Floating Berlin. The festival was initiated by Steffi Weismann and involved site specific installations, performances, soundwalks, workshops, and talks by Errant Sound artists.

In the installation we are listening to the quiverings, captured using a highly sensitive laser vibrometer, recorded in May 2025 in the area of Floating Berlin. The measurements were taken at a specific point within a water area — marked in the installation by a narrow beam of light. A laser pointer, measuring 1×1 mm, was aimed at a reed stem growing on the site, partially above the water level and partially submerged in the reservoir.

During the measurements, it was possible to register vibrations caused by water movement, gusts of wind, contact with nearby reeds, as well as by the delicate calls of insects, frogs, and other organisms below and above the water, including sounds of birds.

The micro-quiverings of the reed’s structure reflect the number of events, rhythms, timbres and also reveal the multitude of organisms living by the reservoir, forming a fragile narrative about the place and its inhabitants.

This project was kindly supported by Polytec technologies.

Many thanks to Samy Monsched and dr.Roland Mühlethaler.

photo credits:
Miłosz Szczęsny