The Aural Ecosystem applies the generative structures of nature to audio synthesis, creating an 'ecosystem' that develops over time. Synthesizers created from 'genetic' code undergo lifecycles in a multi-speaker 'habitat' with both individual and community characteristics evolving based on peer-to-peer relationships and environmental stimuli.

Up to 24 speaker/sculptures form housings for individual 'critters' who call out to find potential mates. Ambient light helps provide each individual with stimulus to be more or less robust within the context of a variety of internal (individual) and external (environmental) conditions.

Over time, individuals can 'breed' with others who share similar characteristics, spawning offspring that combine elements of their parents. Through this process, an emerging 'ecology' is generated that has its own system of varietal successes and failures, its own population oscillations - in short, its own 'nature'.

More information about the Aural Ecosystem can be found at Zach Poff's website.



The audio here was recorded at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art on Oct. 26, 2011.