Institute of Contemporary Arts

Whiteplane2

Whiteplane at the ICA. Photo: Torie Speyer

Experiencing sound proverbially flew the coup when a 3D noise performance - akin to having a surgeon probe rarely used parts of ones anatomy – breezed into the ICA in November for a unique 40 minutes.

Unlike sonic terrorists of the past, blowing minds and not ear-drums was the order of the day. With a profound feeling and respect for the audience, the composers of sonic sculpture Whiteplane2 did just that, and the warm response from those lucky enough to make the sold out performance was proof. A collective 'third ear' was opened by the artists Alex Bradley and Charles Poulet and all were truly grateful for it, myself included. Whiteplane2 – an aural piece encompassing 'ambisonic' surround sound, washes of colour and one distinct flash of white light – was unveiled not with the arrogance of pioneers but with the invitation to sit, walk around, or stand still and do whatever felt right.

I was surprised to find that feelings conjured by the piece were not unknown to me, but recognised perhaps with regard to the subconscious, from a time when still unborn, before ones jolting entry into the living, breathing world. This was a performance beyond the boundaries of the familiar, charting the invisible. Ones sense of hearing used to understand new truths both personal and shared. To summarise, let's do a checklist: Adrenaline? Present. Excitement? Here. Special? Most certainly. Surprising? Yes. And scary? No, not in the slightest - we were all looked after rather well thank you.

Listen to an extract from Whiteplane2 recorded at the ICA (mp3)