It's Singing Pavement That Serenades Your Shadow

A small stretch of pavement in Mesa, Arizona brings a spontaneous concert to the community in the latest project by Quebecoise design collective Daily tous les jours. Mesa Musical Shadows consists of a series of interactive sidewalk tiles at the Mesa Arts Center embedded with sensors and microphones that emit melodic sounds in accordance to the ebb and flow of surrounding shadows. The sounds produced are dependent on both the shape of the shadows and the time of day the project is encountered, resulting in a dynamic experience each time you visit the sidewalk.

14 different vocalists were involved in the production of Mesa Musical Shadows’ sounds, and four separate scores were composed and edited for each time of day by the project’s musical director, David Drury. “The sounds triggered in the morning are peaceful and ethereal: sustained choral tones that follow your long shadow, singing you into your day. Later, when the sun is hot overhead and shadows are shorter, the sounds are chopped and frenetic, creating a rhythmic, energetic soundtrack,” explains Melissa Mongiat, co-founder of Daily tous les jours, to The Creators Project.

“Nearing sunset, as the shadows become long again, clusters of complementary, interlocking melodies are triggered. Finally, after dark the sounds harken towards the natural landscape: insect or bird-like vocal sounds evoke a nocturnal meadow as darkness sets in,” Mongiat elaborates.

Perhaps the best part of an interactive public art project like this is that anyone can enjoy it, from young kids, to teenagers, to adults. “Our work hopes to bring people together who under ordinary circumstances would not necessarily do so, reaching across multiple generations and backgrounds and creating shared experiences even if for just a moment,” says Mongiat. “Public space is the place for collective experiences. It’s the opportunity to create a sense of common life between citizens. We believe that ultimately, public art creates better citizenry.”

Mesa Musical Shadows can be seen in the pavement of Arizona’s Mesa Art Center indefinitely. An online catalog of Daily tous les jours interactive design work can be seen here.

Related:

Shine Bright Like a Projector with This Tech-Savvy Hat

Here's a Sneak Peek of Panorama Festival's Dazzling Visual Arts Hub

Sound Artist Creates Acoustic Portrait of City Park Life