ACOUSTIC SPACE: RT32 / 22 JULY 2004
Envoi de ewen le 05 Juin 2004 15:09:23:
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ACOUSTIC SPACE: RT32
ORCHESTRATING THE SOLAR SYSTEM
an event celebrating the 10th Anniversary
of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre [ VIRAC ]
a collaboration RIXC, VIRAC & r a d i o q u a l i a
..........................................................
RIXC, VIRAC & r a d i o q u a l i a invite local and international guests
to join us for a unique event:
ACOUSTIC SPACE: RT32
Date: 22.07.04
Time: 1000 - 2100
Location: Riga & Irbene, Latvia
INTRODUCTION
On 22 July 1994 a very special event in recent Latvian history transpired.
The Soviet military returned a previously clandestine radio antenna, which
had been concealed in the forests of Western Latvia, back to the Latvian
people. The 32 metre wide radio antenna, christened RT32, turned out to be
one of the most significant technical facilities for listening to high
frequency radio communication in Northern Europe.
Ten years later, RT32 has been converted from military to scientific use,
and is being managed by the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre
(VIRAC) . Now, rather than listening to earth-bound
data, as it did during its espionage days, RT32 turns it's face toward the
sun, listening to planets, stars and the moon.
Acoustic Space: RT32 will be a very special event to celebrate the first 10
years of VIRAC's work. It will highlight VIRAC's scientific achievements,
and also address VIRAC's important role in bringing cultural concerns,
tactical media and art into the sphere of astronomical operations.
Acoustic Space: RT32 will feature an excursion from Riga to the site of the
telescopes at Irbene, a press conference by VIRAC scientists, a panel
discussion with astronomers and artists, a reception, a preview of the
project Radio Astronomy by r a d i o q u a l i a and performances by sound
artists, including a special appearance by the Solar System Orchestra
Ensemble.
BACKGROUND
In 1994 the existence of RT32, plus two smaller dishes, and a
communications centre was revealed to the Latvian people. The facilities
formed the communication and command centre, 'Zveolsdoshka' - Russian for
Little Star. Zveolsdoshka was built by the Soviet military and was used by
the KGB to spy on data transmissions between Europe and North-America
during the Cold War. Zveolsdoshka was kept secret for most of its
existence. Normal citizens of Latvia had no idea it existed and the whole
area around it was closed to the public.
When the occupying forces of the Soviet military withdrew from Latvia in
1993, they abandoned Zveolsdoshka. The military were reluctant to give
these technical resources to the Latvian Government, and entertained the
idea of blowing up the satellite dishes. Pressure from the scientific
community dissuaded them, but RT32 was sabotaged by the retreating forces.
Acid was poured into its motors; nails were driven through the electrical
wires, and all the technical plans and schematics explaining how the dish
worked were removed. The dish was effectively ruined.
Since this point, a small group of Latvian scientists have dedicated
themselves to the restoration of RT32. Working without any technical
specifications, and with minimal financial support, they have managed the
remarkable feat of restoring the dish back to working order.
Acoustic Space: RT32 will celebrate their achievements and give the
scientists at VIRAC an opportunity to discuss their work to a local and
international audience.
ABOUT Acoustic Space: RT32
- Press Conference
VIRAC will deliver a press conference to invited local and international
journalists highlighting their past ten years' activities. The press
conference will be an opportunity for local print and broadcast journalists
to report on VIRAC's valuable contribution to science research in Latvia,
and for international journalists to report on the significance of VIRAC's
facilities.
- Panel Discussion
A panel discussion with invited guests would contextualise the work VIRAC
have undertaken using RT32 and the other antennae, within international
radio astronomical practice. Special consideration will be paid to VIRAC's
pioneering role in bringing science and art closer together, through its
collaborations with the RIXC Cultural Centre on the
production of the Acoustic Space Lab
, and other activities. The panel
will feature local speakers alongside international guests, who have
special experience of working with radio astronomy in research, education
and cultural contexts. Invited international speakers include:
- RT32/Acoustic Space Lab DVD Installation
RIXC's DVD production, RT32 charts the history of the RT32 antenna and the
other facilities at Irbene, as well as summarising the activities of the
Acoustic Space Lab event. The DVD has been screened at museums, festivals,
and universities internationally. Acoustic Space: RT32 will host a
reception to celebrate the installation of the RT32 DVD as a permanent
display at VIRAC.
- Preview of Radio Astronomy Project
Radio Astronomy is an art/science
project by r a d i o q u a l i a developed in collaboration with NASA's
Radio Jove Network (USA), the Windward Community College Radio Observatory
(USA) and VIRAC. It will enable listeners to tune into to different
celestial frequencies, hearing planets, stars, and the constant hiss of
cosmic noise. It will reveal the sonic character of objects in our galaxy,
and in the process perhaps make these phenomena more tangible and
comprehensible. The project is indeed radio astronomy in the literal sense
- a radio station devoted to broadcasting sounds from space.
- Sound art and music performances
Radiation received by radio telescopes can be made audible using radio
technologies. Acoustic Space: RT32 will feature performances of
soundscapes, electronic music and sound art created using audio captured
from the VIRAC radio telescope by Clausthome (LV), r a d i o q u a l i a
(NZ/LV) and the Solar System Orchestra Ensemble (MW).
PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE
1000 - 1300 Excursion from Riga to Irbene
1300 - 1400 Welcome & lunch
1400 - 1430 Press Conference
1430 - 1545 Presentations and panel discussion, contextualising the
role of VIRAC within the international radio astronomy community
1545 - 1630 Reception to unveil the Acoustic Space Lab DVD display &
preview the Radio Astronomy project
16:30 - 18:30 Sound performances by the Solar System Orchestra Ensemble
and other artists
1830 - 2130 Excursion from Irbene to Riga
PARTICIPATE
You are cordially invited to join RIXC and VIRAC for this unique event. A
limited number of tickets will be made available to local and international
guests for a nominal fee. The ticket will cover the cost of the excursion
from Riga to Irbene, the discussions, performances, reception & fine
Latvian fare on site at Irbene.
If you wish to attend please contact:
Signe Pucena
Ph: +371 7228478
Email: signe@rixc.lv
OR
Honor Harger
Email: honor@va.com.au
Riga Centre for New Media Culture RIXC
11 Novembra Krastmala 35 - 201
LV 1050 Riga
Latvia
http://www.rixc.lv
END
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honor harger
r a d i o q u a l i a:
http://www.radioqualia.net
current work: radio astronomy
http://www.radio-astronomy.net
present location: riga .lv
email: honor@va.com.au
http://www.radioqualia.net/honor/latvia/art_nouveau/default.htm
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