The Trans-Harmonium, recorded 5 March 2022

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

The Trans-Harmonium is a piano wired to play a collection of radios — radios tuned to twelve frequencies, one frequency for each key chromatically. The white keys are tuned to clear stations. C is reserved for classical when possible, while A, B, D, E, F, G are tuned chronologically based on local stations. The sharps/flats are tuned in between stations, picking up static and overlapping dialog.

This machine was built to travel. By documenting this work in various locations, I hope to capture an archive of audible portraits of various cities. Once the work is well traveled/documented I plan to find an institution with a strong time-based media preservation strategy that is willing to accept the instrument and the archive as a donation or promised gift. Ideally the institution would continue to loan and document the work once it leaves my hands, expanding the archive. Constructed between 2011-12, this project is ongoing.