Symphony for n Metronomes
Andreas Rau, 2025
Fakewhale and Verse present
Inspired by György Ligeti's Poème Symphonique for 100 Metronomes (1962) and Toshi Ichiyanagi's Music for Electric Metronome (1960), the series takes its starting point in the metronome as an object, producing a steady pulse not unlike the regular creation of new blocks on the blockchain itself.
For every iteration minted, one metronome is added to the collective performance — enriching the experience for all collectors. Different metronomes are activated over time, creating an ever-evolving system of new, seemingly random rhythms and a visual language shaped by the movements of their pendulums.
Every individual output of the series represents one part of the performance while containing the code for the whole at the same time. Score and performance merge as they inhabit a shared digital space. The performance fully unfolds when multiple works from the series are exhibited in a shared physical space.
For every iteration minted, one metronome is added to the collective performance. Every collector contributes to the overall experience for themselves and all other collectors.
Symphony for n Metronomes is synchronized via UTC time. All iterations are always in sync, and can be displayed simultaneously on separate devices to form a shared live performance.
The performance fully unfolds when multiple works from the series are exhibited in a shared physical space. Any constellation of iterations can be displayed together (Shown: Render of a possible installation setup).
Every individual output of the series represents one part of the performance while containing the code for the whole at the same time. Double click on the piece to switch view.
Symphony for n Metronomes shares its conceptual roots with György Ligeti's Poème Symphonique For 100 Metronomes (1962).
The series lives and breathes through the contributions of its collectors and, in turn, includes them in the piece. Become part of the networked performance: Minting opens on Verse on June 25, 7:00 PM CEST / 1:00 PM EDT.
10+ metronomes, 2+ metronomes, All
Every collector of 10 or more metronomes has a special presence in the performance — through occasional solos of their collected pieces.
The presence of those who collect 2 or more metronomes becomes visible to others: their names are shown within the performance.
All collectors become part of the piece — as all collected metronomes together form the performance.
Andreas Rau (b. 1990) is a generative artist exploring the interplay between humans and their physical and digital environments. He works with code and electronics to build bridges between the physical and the digital in a continuous dialog with the machine. His work includes interactive installations, audiovisual pieces and physical artifacts created fully from code. It has been shown internationally and collected by individuals and institutions around the world.
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