Sounding the Collection
Sounding the Collection was a response to the extensive digitisation project at Powerhouse which began in 2019, and set out to capture images of 338,000 items from the Powerhouse Collection, allowing for new levels of access. Sounding the Collection focuses on capturing the sonic possibilities of some of these objects.
In the Powerhouse Collection stores in Castle Hill, over 18 months staff would audio record a selection of objects in a small, bright orange sound booth.
Amounting to over 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.
Sample Pack
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.
Powerhouse is working to fold sonic archives and sonic interpretation of the Collection’s material culture. In addition to Sounding the Collection, the museum is host to a range of projects that activate and listen closely to its objects. This includes the Oscillations podcast series, collaborations with Research Fellows and performances with collection instruments.
Behind The Scenes
In the Powerhouse Collection stores in Castle Hill, over 18 months staff would audio record a selection of objects in a small, bright orange sound booth.
Amounting to over 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.
Commissions: Sampling the Collection
Listen to Samples
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.