Hearing Stones (Earth) | Art & Science
Hearing Stones (2023) also known as Hearing Earth (2023) is an interdisciplinary audio-visual performance that brings together the collaborative visions of composer Delong Wang and visual artist Mingyong Cheng, performed by the acclaimed Ensemble Dal Niente. Directed by Lei Liang, with scientific guidance from Emily Chin, the project draws inspiration from the intricate structures, aesthetics, and chemical transformations of minerals—elements that form the stones, shape the land, and serve as the very foundation of our Earth.
As a visual artist, I employ real-time computational visualization techniques to reimagine AI-generated imagery based on authentic scientific images of stones. This dynamic visual design responds in real time to the evocative music, creating a seamless dialogue between sound and image. Together, we invite the audience on a transformative journey—one that explores the hidden beauty and the deep interconnectedness of the Earth's materials, their evolution through time, and their resonance with human creativity.
Special thanks to the Audio & Visual Team at Qualcomm Institute & Cali2 for the video documentation!
Presentation:
The still images from this project were honored to be featured as a case study in an article highlighting Lei Liang and Binyang Li's discussions on the emergence of generative AI in music and broader art-making. This article was published in "Philharmonic Magazine" (爱乐, May 2024).
Hearing Stones (Earth) performed by Dal Niente Ensemble in a group show directed by Lei Liang at Calit2, San Diego, CA, US.