Single Drop is a unique 3 day sound installation, presented by Aberdeen born artist Raydale Dower, in the historic Bon Accord Baths. The installation is FREE and will be open to the public during soundfestival 12-6pm, Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th October.
The work begins with one simple sound: a single drop of water.
This sound is recorded and played back repeatedly, slowing by 25% each time. As it slows, the pitch becomes deeper and the sound stretches further, gradually moving into low, sub-bass frequencies until it can no longer be heard.
The resulting 2-minute 20-second sequence is played on a continuous loop, transforming this tiny, fleeting sound into something much larger. Projected and amplified throughout Bon Accord Baths, the sound interacts with the building’s unique acoustics and architecture, creating an immersive installation that can be felt as much as heard.
Through repetition, scale and space, the work invites audiences to experience a single moment in a completely new way, exploring ideas of memory, time, sound and the character of this remarkable building.
I recently visited the Bon Accord Baths, Aberdeen, and was blown away by the unique acoustics - the cavernous cathedral like space evoked a recorded work ‘Single Drop’, it felt like there could be a beautiful poetic (and physical) resonance between the amplified soundof an a single drop of water within the empty swimming pool space.
– Raydale Dower
Single Drop was originally recorded by the artist whilst on residency in Montreal in 2013. The installation in the Bon Accord Baths for soundfestival will be the first time the work has been presented as stand alone sound installation within the UK. The Baths have a special resonance for the artist as he grew up in Ferryhill, Aberdeen and visited them often as a young child with his maternal grandmother.
Single Drop is delivered in partnership between Peacock Visual Arts, soundfestival, Off Beat and the Bon Accord Baths.
