Emma Smith, 5Hz
Arnolfini, Bristol
20 March - 6 April

Wysing Studio Artist Emma Smith presents 5Hz – an interactive exhibition that invites audiences to experience a new human language.

The concept of Emma Smith's work is to imagine an alternative evolution of voice and create a language that strengthens human connection.

5Hz is the result of a collaborative research process with psychologist Laurence White (Plymouth University), cognitive neuroscientist Nina Kazanina, and musicologist Emma Hornby (both University of Bristol). Building on this research, Emma Smith worked with Laurence White to create a language for the role of social bonding.

The exhibition will introduce audiences to this new vocal practice through interactive events and installations including a sound chamber installation where visitors can try the language themselves, the presentation of the language's visual transcription, an interactive sound library and research space, fun online experiments, and live choral performances. There will also be a programme of workshops, activities, talks and discussions that will explore aspects of human voice.

The exhibition has been developed from a series of electroencephalography experiments, language evolution workshops and public research labs that took place at Arnolfini in 2014. Further information about the exhibition is available on the Arnolfini website here.