NOMINATION: Work of the Year - Electroacoustic / Sound Art
The Electroacoustic / Sound Art category is for works which utilise and manipulate digital and/or analogue sound as the primary medium. The work may be interdisciplinary (incorporating more than one media). It may include, but is not limited to; sonic art, electronics, interactive work, generative music, environmental sound, installations, soundscapes, electroacoustic music, and intermedia works.
A work is defined as a single complete musical composition, or expression. This includes music with movements or sub-works (i.e. song cycles), installations, and real-time compositions (improvised music).
If you believe your work to be nominated in the wrong category or the details of your nomination to be incorrect, please contact the AMC via email at awards@australianmusiccentre.com.au before proceeding with the nomination.
Art Music Award guidelines →
Nominee
Otto Reitano
Title of the work
My Friend the Tunnel
Performer
Otto Reitano
Performance Date
1/8/2024
Venue
Sydney Metro Martin Place (underneath the Macquarie Bank tower)
Nominator Statement
I'd like to nominate Otto Reitano for the 'Electroacoustic/Sound Art Award'. for his work on the sound for the Sydney Metro Martin Place 'Pedestrian Link' Tunnel.
Otto worked with an architectural lighting company called Electrolight to create the sound for the walkway connecting the new Martin Place metro station to the existing Martin Place arcade. The audio he's created includes 8 ambient pieces (each 5-10min in length), 6 soundscapes (rain, beach, australian bush, etc.), and various 'trigger' sounds that follow pedestrians as they walk through the tunnel (e.g. harps, water drops, whispers, etc.)
Using sensors and microphones, the system knows how busy it is, which causes the music to change and react to footfall - e.g. during quieter periods the music and triggered sounds become more minimalist, thoughtful, and introspective. There is also a 'sunset' scene which syncs each evening as the sun sets, where daytime nature sounds slowly morph into night time sounds, accompanied by soft improvised ambient piano.
Otto's an expert in acoustics and how sound affects us, and has really made the most of this one-of-a-kind 32-channel surround sound system. Tunnels are notoriously tricky spaces acoustically, but he's used that to his advantage. The result is a rich, layered soundscape that makes the tunnel feel special and enhances the whole experience of commuting.
This sound installation by Otto is a permanent exhibit, which 'weaves' in and out between other temporary exhibits. Otto's work played from August-December 2024, and will be played again from August 2025 onwards.
More info on Otto's work and his collaboration with Electrolight here: https://electrolight.com/project/my-friend-the-tunnel/
Nominee
Otto Reitano
Title of the work
My Friend the Tunnel
Performer
Otto Reitano
Performance Date
1/8/2024
Venue
Sydney Metro Martin Place (underneath the Macquarie Bank tower)
Otto worked with an architectural lighting company called Electrolight to create the sound for the walkway connecting the new Martin Place metro station to the existing Martin Place arcade. The audio he's created includes 8 ambient pieces (each 5-10min in length), 6 soundscapes (rain, beach, australian bush, etc.), and various 'trigger' sounds that follow pedestrians as they walk through the tunnel (e.g. harps, water drops, whispers, etc.)
Using sensors and microphones, the system knows how busy it is, which causes the music to change and react to footfall - e.g. during quieter periods the music and triggered sounds become more minimalist, thoughtful, and introspective. There is also a 'sunset' scene which syncs each evening as the sun sets, where daytime nature sounds slowly morph into night time sounds, accompanied by soft improvised ambient piano.
Otto's an expert in acoustics and how sound affects us, and has really made the most of this one-of-a-kind 32-channel surround sound system. Tunnels are notoriously tricky spaces acoustically, but he's used that to his advantage. The result is a rich, layered soundscape that makes the tunnel feel special and enhances the whole experience of commuting.
This sound installation by Otto is a permanent exhibit, which 'weaves' in and out between other temporary exhibits. Otto's work played from August-December 2024, and will be played again from August 2025 onwards.
More info on Otto's work and his collaboration with Electrolight here: https://electrolight.com/project/my-friend-the-tunnel/