In 2010, around the time we began Ear Meal Webcast, Joseph Hammer recommended I go to Integratron in Joshua Tree. The experience of the sound bath there was such an impact that I decided to try to recreate the experience at Soundwalk in Long Beach CA. After that project, I realized that I was trying to make the sound bath mobile. The Latin instrument, the Cajon, is constructed in such a way that it vibrates on all surfaces. For the REDCAT Spring Studio, I created a large Cajon bed and commissioned a cello shaped aluminum bed. I stuck speakers in it. Using Royal Rife’s frequency clusters, effects boxes, my Iso Cube and field recordings, I performed my first vibratory sound work. I asked for 2 volunteers from the audience and everyone else in the audience was asked to wear ear plugs and blow up a ballon. They experienced a 8 minute version of what would develop into Organ of Corti. The wood sound bed; Cajon Sound Bed and Cello Sound Bed worked well but I wanted more aluminum sound beds so I asked 2more fabricators to build one each. The Triangle sound bed is the most recent. I have since stop using the Cajon Sound Bed and repurposed it as a planter in the K-Town Butterfly Sanctuary. The 4 Aluminum Sound Beds have been used for many performative work and installations throughout the year. They are effective and mimic the sound bath at the Integratron in that they immerse the entire body into listening, sometimes lulling on into dreaming. I have since experienced several sound installations by other artists and am so honored to be part of collective quest in immersive contact sound experiences.
