Transforming a 1,000-Foot Bridge into a Musical Instrument
Turning a bridge into a musical instrument and an immersive light experience was a thrilling challenge.
My name is Maria Finkelmeier, a percussionist, composer, artist, and professor at Berklee College of Music, and I'm excited to share how this incredible project came to life.
The Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a suspension bridge designed by John Roebling, also known for the Brooklyn Bridge. Growing up in Cincinnati, I was captivated by the bridge’s unique sound as cars drove over its metal grates, producing a lush, resonant hum. This personal connection made the opportunity to create an artistic expression using the bridge for the Blink Festival truly special.
The Three Stages of the Project:
Get to Know the Architecture:
On-Site Exploration: To transform the bridge into a musical instrument, I spent extensive time on-site. This involved recording sounds, striking different pillars, and immersing myself in the bridge’s unique acoustics. By using mallets and singing into the hollow chambers beneath the bridge, I discovered a variety of resonant tones. I also walked the length of the bridge, noting how long it took to cross and listening to the natural sounds created by passing cars.
Sound Mapping: Understanding the specific areas of the bridge that produced distinctive sounds was crucial. This step helped in conceptualizing how different parts of the bridge could function as musical components
Creative Concept and Research:
Historical and Personal Inspiration: Researching the history of the bridge and its designer, John Roebling, I discovered compelling stories, particularly about his wife, Joanna. This led to the creation of "Joanna's Hymn," a piece dedicated to her, envisioning the bridge as an organ to reflect her contributions and untold stories.
Community Engagement: Collaborating with local artists and organizations, such as Jason Holmes Alexander and the Cincinnati Boy Choir, infused the project with authentic local sounds. Sampling the Boy Choir and integrating their voices into the musical score provided a strong community connection.
Visual Inspiration: The bridge’s existing lighting, known as the "necklace," inspired a musical piece that mirrored its visual beauty. The goal was to create a piece that complemented the existing lights while adding a dynamic musical element.
Technical Implementation:
Software and Logistics: Using Ableton Live, a flexible digital audio workstation, we mapped the entire bridge and assigned MIDI controls to its lights. Each section of the bridge was labeled (e.g., A for the Cincinnati side, B for the Kentucky side, etc.), and these sections were further divided into subsections. This systematic approach ensured precise control over the lighting.
Color and Light Control: We developed a method to control the RGB lighting using MIDI velocity codes. By assigning specific velocity values to MIDI notes, we could manipulate the color and intensity of the lights. For example, a MIDI note with a velocity of 50 could correspond to a specific shade of blue, while a velocity of 100 could produce a different color.
Synchronization: The final step was syncing the music with the lighting. Each musical note triggered specific lights, creating a seamless blend of sound and visual effects. Testing involved sending sets back and forth with the lighting company to ensure accuracy before the live implementation.
Bringing the Project to Life:
After meticulous planning and testing, the final implementation involved syncing music with the bridge’s lights. The result was an awe-inspiring blend of sound and light, where each musical note lit up corresponding sections of the bridge, creating a mesmerizing experience for festival-goers.
The project culminated in a night of immersive art, with people traveling across the bridge, surrounded by music and light. This transformation allowed the community to see their everyday bridge in a new, artistic light, creating lasting memories.
Creating projects like this one fuels my passion for multisensory experiences and community engagement. If you’re interested in seeing more of my work, click the video link here.
Want to see the full journey of how I turned a 1,000-foot bridge into a musical instrument?
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