The work comprises an atmospheric and immersive soundscape that combines musical refrains with abstract sound elements. The work was created for an installation piece in Cardiff in response to the whimsical childhood idea that the sea can be heard hidden within a seashell. The work takes this idea and develops it laterally by use of the mathematical patterns inherent in nature known as fractals, of which the seashell is an amazing example.

The core ideas behind the fractal are of feedback and iteration,  this process of iteration can continue infinitely.  Applying a process of fractal sound composition, the numerical outputs from the feedback-process were mapped to sound parameters, using computer programs to run the complex mathematical calculations required.  From simple numerical inputs melodies, harmonies and rhythms can be produced.  This work took the fact that the seashell is itself a fractal form and sought through this to reveal the musical patterns that are implied within it. By taking the physical dimensions of a seashell, recording them numerically and entering them into a fractal sound generating formula a musical refrain was created.  This short combination of notes and harmonies was then used as the basis for a more expansive sound work that would express the seashell emotively as well as formally.  

The piece also draws upon Post-Structuralist thinking on 'The Death of the Author' and Surrealist randomising methodologies.  The idea of removing a conscious, rational composition from a work is taken one step further, removing the Romantic concept of 'unconscious genius', also allowing the removal of the artist as composer from the central melody of the piece altogether.  Beyond this, removing physical instruments (replacing them with computer synthesised output) questions distinctions and hierarchies inherent in notions of the skilled performer/composer.  With the artist detached to this extent it falls to the listener to discern 'artistic output' from context in what are essentially naturally occurring patterns, iterated through synthesised musical instruments.
Blueprint by christophercollier