The Sensory Sound Pit #ESOF16

In 2016, artist Di Mainstone was the European City of Science artist and residence and the University of Salford worked with her in the realisation of a remarkable new piece of work using augmented reality and..a sandpit! The result was this incredible piece of work, shown during our Science Jam within the Manchester Science Festival.

The work explored ideas within neuroscience and synaesthesia and Salford's Dr Gemma Lace-Costigan (ELS) and Rob Aspin (CSE) worked with Di, media artist Paul Miller, game designers Shi and Kriss Blank, and musicians The Architects of Rosslyn. Along with the ECOS team, Professor Andy Miah, and the Media City Creative Technical Team, this art/science installation transformed a sand pit into an audio visual experience.

Commissioned by the European City of Science, Manchester, installed by Media City Creative Technical Team, :University of Salford.

Created by European City of Science Artist in Residence, Di Mainstone, this installation was inspired by the phenomenon of synaesthesia; the crossover of the senses. The artwork brings together sound, visuals, technology and sand, why not come along and experiment? Each Soundpit has its own personality, which will be your favourite? Di collaborated with musicians Mandy Wigby and Howard Jacobs, working alongside creative technologist Paul Miller and gaming duo Wetgenes as well as neuroscientists from the University of Salford and Manchester, we have created a synaesthetic machine that allows visitors to touch and see sound as well as hear it.