Rings. . . Through Rings: Multi-channel sound installation with turntable-based vinyl data artifacts, real-time audiovisual processing, and custom topographical synthesis algorithm; interactive experience

Rings. . . Through Rings reimagines Hong Kong’s military cartographic heritage through an innovative sound art installation. Utilizing historical maps as the foundation, the project transforms archival geographical data into laser-etched vinyl discs, serving as both physical artifacts and sound-generating devices. This artistic reinterpretation emphasizes three significant sites: No. 55 Ha Pak Nai, Tung Chung, and Lau Tau at the Lantau Island Forts, symbolizing the intersection of natural landscapes and military infrastructure [2]. The installation features an integrated system composed of three key elements. At its core are custom laser-etched vinyl discs, crafted from PVC and embedded with encoded geographical data. When these discs are played on specially modified turntables, their physical grooves, shaped by both data and material properties, generate distinctive sonic textures. These turntable stations, three in total, are enhanced with real-time processing capabilities, inviting participants to actively manipulate and shape the sound output through direct interaction. Complementing this tactile experience is a TouchDesigner-based audiovisual system, which responds to turntable gestures by rendering dynamic visual projections and immersive spatialized soundscapes [1]. Together, these components form a responsive and exploratory environment that bridges data, sound, and performance. Participants physically engage with the turntables, altering rotation speeds and playback direction, which in turn influences real-time audio processing and projection mapping. This interactive feedback loop creates a multisensory experience, bridging past and present through tangible sonic exploration. The work demonstrates technology’s capacity to preserve and reinterpret cultural heritage through sonic immersion and interactive design. By mapping cartographic data onto sound, Rings. . . Through Rings not only explores historical memory but also invites reflections on the evolving relationship between landscapes and human intervention.