What makes us dance? Why do we sing the blues? Could there be a formula for the perfect hit? These are just some of the questions presented by Biorhythm, an exhibition exploring the relationship between music and the body.
It didn’t take a lot of convincing for me to visit this traveling exhibition–originally from Dublin—and is now at the Mind Museum in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig until February 2013.
Music and science – it’s a combination that rarely comes to mind but is so intertwined in our daily lives. The Greek philosopher and mathematician, Plato, said: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” For a man with a scientific mind, it is quite surprising that music is of great significance. But it is more than a frivolous thing—music is part of our daily lives and Biorhythm shows us exactly how.
If you’re into music, or you’re remotely curious why you have a certain dislike for Rebecca Black’s viral hit song, Friday, then Biorhythm is a must-visit. Explore it with fellow musicians, your dad who introduced you to The Beatles, or your kids who love singing along to commercial jingles and cartoon theme songs. The exhibit allows visitors to explore and be hands-on, making it very interactive and fun.
For starters, there’s a 1920s chair mischievously named, “Something For The Girl With Everything,” which emits sonic charges. Manipulate the voltage-controlled oscillators on the control panel and you will physically experience the power of sound to your personal liking.
One of my favorites is the “Reactable,” which is a collaborative electronic musical instrument with a tangible interface based on a table, and inspired by modular synthesizers of the sixties. Coded objects on the table are picked up by sensors, and by moving or rotating these objects, users can create complex and dynamic sounds. This multi-user audio-visual experience is the same instrument used by Icelandic singer, Bjork. Give it a try if you’ve always dreamt of being a DJ, because this is the coolest DJ table ever.
There’s also the very nifty-looking “scratch musicmaker” and sound generator that uses Lego bricks as a musical interface. Called “Heart n’ Beat,” the entire installation shows how punk science meets Japanese innovation.
Another favorite is “The Theremin Inspector,” which shows people how a theremin works. Before this exhibit, I wasn’t aware of what this instrument is. Some people, however, have been introduced to it through an episode of the TV show, Big Bang Theory because one of the characters, Sheldon, plays it. Apparently, it’s the first electronic musical instrument, invented in 1920 by its namesake Leon Theremin. The theremin is played by moving your hands through open space, rather than touching controls. At Biorhythm, users can actually see electromagnetic fields through a data visualization effect projected on a television screen.
Ongoing now until February next year, Biorhythm lets you experience how music moves your body in other ways than just listening to the radio or plugging your earphones. It lets you feel you’re human, while in a world that is infinitely complex, fascinating and remarkable.
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Admission Fees
BIORHYTHM ONLY:
Php250 (Adult)
Php200 (Children/Students)
Museum + BIORHYTHM:
Php800 (Adult)
Php600 (Children/ Private Students)
Php300 (Public School Students/Teachers)
All-day Pass + BIORHYTHM: Php950
Contact Details:
For inquiries, please email inquiry@themindmuseum.org or call (63 2) 909-6463.
