Musica Universalis

Installation – with United Visual Artists

A spatial instrument that investigates the resonances from far away objects in our solar system.

During the 1st century BC, mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras discovered a series of relationships between geometry and harmonics. He identified that the pitch of a musical note is in proportion to the length of the string that produces it, and that intervals between harmonious sound frequencies form simple numerical ratios.

Pythagoras coined the term ‘musica universalis’ to describe his assertion that the movements of all celestial bodies in the sky were guided by strict harmonious equations, physically imperceptible to the human ear.

Musica Universalis comprises a series of kinetic, physical sculptures, each containing a spherical form and a mechanism driving a rotating light source and speaker.

Light is cast through the space creating interventions and interactions with the architecture. Oscillations slowly drift in and out of harmony within each cell and across the series.

Musica Universalis was created by United Visual Artists and debuted at Day for Night festival in Houston (2016). It was exhibited at Espacio Simon, as part of Llum BCN 2020. 


Concept: United Visual Artists
Visual programming: United Visual Artists
Design direction: Ben Kreukniet
Sound design: Ben Kreukniet