Sonic Identity

With Powerhouse Parramatta set to open in 2024 and the Powerhouse Ultimo renewal soon to be underway, a new visual and sonic identity have been developed reflecting the museum's history and future.

The sonic identity created by Mara Schwerdtfeger aims to orientate the listener by using sounds representing the museum’s focus on applied arts and science. Taking sounds from the museums ongoing sonic archives project Sounding the Collection, the identity uses the sound of the 'Philharmonic Continental Society of Arts' tuning fork made by John Walker, 'The Mettype Junior' toy typewriter and a reproduction carousel horse.

Just as an object’s function and significance changes upon entering the museum, the techniques of layering and editing these samples redefine the object's contexts. The sonic objects were chosen to mirror the new visual identity designed by Vincent Chan, leading to the use of rhythmic and dense textures of mechanical objects and heavy machinery.

The approach to creating an adaptable sonic identity focused on rhythmic anchor points within the samples, allowing for varied uses such as short documentaries and podcasts. The sounds are textural and rhythmic rather than melodic, and two sonic anchor points create a sense of mystery and then discovery.

From an automaton bird cage and an art deco clock to toy robots, tuning forks and steam engines, Sounding the Collection is a sonic archive from Powerhouse that brings objects sitting silent in the collection to audition.

The archive hosts more than 100 recordings designed to be shared publicly, inviting artistic interpretation and collaboration. These recordings allow musicians, researchers and sound designers globally to repurpose and interpret them via a ‘sample pack’ – potentially finding their way into sonic identities, movie soundtracks, foley, pop songs and sound installations.