1. The subtle sound of cut hair being swept away is detected by an ultra-sensitive microphone and output through speakers in real-time via a program in Max/MSP. Simultaneously, it functions as a trigger for the generation and transformation of two types of sounds, which are divided and continuously played through panning across speakers installed in the four directions of the main cut room. The two microphones, the ultra-sensitive one and a wide-angle microphone installed in the cut room, trigger changes in all parameters such as the playback range, speed, and panning of the sound files. In other words, in this space, two types of sound files always exist at different tempos and repetition cycles, and the same sound environment is never reproduced but constantly generates and changes.

2. Sensors are installed on each step of the staircase, and depending on the user’s walking speed, the lights on the walls and a 1000 Hz sine wave continue to flash.

3. In the restroom, a wide-angle microphone acts as a sensor, mimicking the rhythm of sounds made by the user. Lights and popping sounds blink repeatedly, while an edited white noise, serving the purpose of “sound masking,” continues to drone on as long as the user’s presence is detected.

4. The shampoo room is aimed at being an acoustic still life, contrasting with the ever-changing sounds of the main cut room. A constant drone is repeated, and changes are ensured by the feedback and delay of sounds from objects in the space.

5. Superstars website/transferkey
A web installation where users communicate by drawing pictures when visiting the site. In the hair salon, ultra-sensitive microphones (which pick up sounds like hair falling) are installed, and when a user draws, the volume data of the sounds occurring in the salon is added. If the computer monitor is considered the xy plane, this volume data extends along the z-axis, creating a state where the drawn picture appears to extend toward the user, as if hair were growing from the image. In other words, the users who visit the site unknowingly participate in an attempt to reconstruct the hair that was cut off in the salon into the web space, while simultaneously communicating with other users.

6. system map

speaker01 / musik RL906
speaker02 / musik MO-1
speaker03 / sony sms-1p
mic01 / behringer ECM8000
mic02 / shure SM-57
infinity mic / sanken MO-64B
pc / apple powerbook G4
audio interface / motu828MkII
sensor / omron EG3-l73

Additionally, this installation can be appreciated and experienced, not only by using the hair salon.

SUPERSTARS Tokyo
T 03-54280-0039 / info@superstars.jp