Tag Archives: environmental sound

Installation

Defensible Space

Defensible Space is a large-scale artwork that explores the raw and elemental power, effect, and impression of wildfire on human beings, and the landscape that we exist in. The experience transports participants to immersive, serene, and natural landscapes of the west, interrupted by destructive wildfire events that play back fire sounds at the speeds of actual wildfires. The multimedia work combines 24-channels of immersive spatialized audio and 270 degrees of 3D projection mapping to envelop visitors in a multi-sensory experience of the fire front.

24-channel audio by Jon Bellona.
3D video projection mapping by artist John Park.

Housed in the Oregon State University Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) Ray Theater, PRAx commissioned the artwork for the 50’x60′ space. The work was shown from March 31 – April 11, 2026.

Defensible Space artwork showing curved scrim video projection of Pacific Northwest forest.

Technical details for audio and video: 24-channels of audio were 14 speakers on walls, 4 hung on the ceiling, 4 on the floor, and 2 subwoofers. The 90’ curved scrim (17’ tall) included 6000 x 1150 pixels image across 3 projectors (11000 lumen center. 8500 lumen projectors on sides). BrightSign media players were used for video playback and Max/MSP custom software played 24-channels of audio. Custom synchronization solutions came via custom software.

Defensible Space video excerpt showing a single viewer eclipsed by large video projection depicting a grassland wildfire.

Featured Intermedia, Featured Splash, Installation

Wildfire

Wildfire is a 48-foot long speaker array that plays back a wave of fire sounds across its 48-foot span at speeds of actual wildfires. The sound art installation strives to have viewers embody the devastating spread of wildfires through an auditory experience.

The work was installed at the Edith Langley Barrett Art Gallery in Utica, New York. The work ran Sept. 19 – Dec. 8, 2019 as part of a solo art exhibition entitled, “Impact! works by Jon Bellona.” Wildfire was part of SPRING/BREAK Art Show in NYC March 3 – 9, 2020 curated by Megan C. Austin and Ashlie Flood.

Wildfire was made possible through the University of Oregon Center for Environmental Futures and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The Impact! exhibition was supported by funds from the Oregon Arts Commission. Additional support made possible from the Edith Langley Barrett Art Gallery.

Public Final Report for University of Oregon Center for Environmental Futures.

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Wildfire sound art installation. 16 speakers along a white wall, playing back sounds of fire at speeds of wildfires
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Close up of wood speaker panel on wall of the sound artwork, Wildfire
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Close of custom electronics as part of sound artwork, Wildfire
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Photo Credit: Janelle Rodriguez

I mixed-down the forty-eight foot, 16-channel work into stereo (2-channel). An embedded Spotify player is below, but the stereo version may be found on Apple, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you stream music.