Acoustic Poem is a mixed media interactive poster installation that reimagines Charles Baudelaire’s Invitation to the Voyage through sound, algorithmic systems, and visual mapping. Acting as a translation machine, the installation transforms the static structure of poetry into a dynamic, multidimensional experience, challenging conventional modes of reading and interpretation.
At its core, Acoustic Poem explores the interplay between language, sound, and computational logic, pushing the boundaries of traditional textual engagement. The poem is divided into 98 sections, each assigned a unique song that captures its essence. A custom algorithm analyzes the length of each word, translating it into a proportional duration of the corresponding song. With every iteration, the system randomly selects a segment of the song, generating an unrepeatable, evolving sonic composition, where time, text, and sound merge into an ever-shifting experience.
Beyond its auditory transformation, the installation introduces a visual mapping system. As the algorithm processes the poem, it illuminates specific squares on the poster, visually guiding viewers through its fragmented structure. This interaction enhances the spatial and sensory immersion, turning a printed artifact into an active, interpretive landscape.
By deconstructing and reassembling Baudelaire’s poem, Acoustic Poem reflects on the intelligibility of traditional media, the fluidity of meaning, and the hybrid nature of contemporary artistic expression. It dissolves the boundaries between human intention and machine logic, celebrating the infinite possibilities of algorithmic reinterpretation. The installation invites audiences to experience poetry as a living entity, where computation, music, and visual cues coalesce to provoke a renewed “sense of wonder”—transforming the ordinary act of reading into an extraordinary interplay of perception and sensation.
The work has received international recognition, being jury-selected for the INTL Poster Festival 2024 (Jury Commendation: Balmer Hählen) Winners 2024 and included in the PCD25@Porto "Sense of Wonder" Online Exhibition.