Musical creation is no longer limited to humans or traditional instruments. With the emergence of research combining biology, technology, and art, scientists are pushing the boundaries of sound composition. One particularly captivating example involves "blobs"—unicellular organisms that, through electrical signals, can participate in creating sounds.
When Blobs Start Making Music
At the University of Bristol, a researcher named Ella Gale has discovered how to capture the electrical signals generated by the movements of blobs and translate them into sound frequencies. Using a network of 64 electrodes, she records the electrical variations of these strange organisms to create a unique musical composition. These raw signals, similar to erratic and organic frequencies, give birth to unprecedented sounds that sometimes evoke the takeoff of an airplane or other strange, mesmerizing noises.
A Conductor Named Andrew Adamatzky
Another scientist, Andrew Adamatzky, who is passionate about the artistic potential of blobs, uses a unique approach. He places blobs in Petri dishes surrounded by electrodes. Attracted to oats, the blobs move around and, while feeding, generate electrical signals that can be converted into sound. These "compositions" are then processed and transformed into soundscapes, offering an auditory experience reminiscent of certain science fiction soundtracks. In fact, Adamatzky compares the sounds produced by his blobs to effects from films like Eraserhead or Lost Highway.
When Technology Partners with Biology: Eduardo Miranda and the Musical Bio-Computer
In this exploration of biological sounds, Professor Eduardo Miranda from Plymouth University has developed an even more sophisticated device. By connecting a blob to a musical bio-computer, he captures its reactions in real time and translates them into signals sent to a piano’s strings. The machine then produces notes that Miranda improvises on, creating a genuine musical dialogue between the composer and the unicellular organism.
An Unprecedented Concert
On March 1, 2015, this unique collaboration led to a public performance at the "Peninsula Arts" contemporary music festival. Critics described the music as "haunting" and "Lynchian," a sonic experience that pushes the boundaries of the ordinary and offers a fascinating glimpse into the future of music generated by living organisms.
This kind of research paves the way for a new form of musical creation. By going beyond traditional instrumental manipulation, researchers and artists are discovering how to harness the movements and reactions of living organisms to create unique sound experiences. Could the music of the future be the result of a collaboration between technology, nature, and art?
Listen here to an excerpt of this collaboration between science and music
What do you think of this form of organic music created by blobs? Do you see it as art, science, or a fascinating blend of both? Share your thoughts in the comments!
