The Aquarium of the Pacific has commissioned a project that brings art and science together to translate the movement of sea jellies, or jellyfish, into a symphony. In this evening lecture, the composers and scientists behind this project will share their methods and samples of the symphony. The Aquarium will also unveil new features at its moon and lagoon jelly exhibits that will translate the jellies’ movements into sound for visitors. The Symphony of Jellies was developed based on an algorithm that tracks the movements of sea jellies and translates them into sounds. Marty Quinn, founder of the Design Rythmics Sonification Research Lab, developed software and hardware to capture sea jellies movements with digital video footage and translate them into sounds through a process he calls MoveMusic sonification. Composers Eddie Freeman and Marta Victoria of Icarus Music used those sounds to create musical motifs and orchestration. Aquarium President and CEO Dr. Jerry Schubel and Aquarium Trustee Dennis Poulsen served as advisors and partners on the project. New exhibit components that demonstrate the MoveMusic sonification software will be installed at two of the Aquarium’s Jellies exhibits. Webcams installed in the moon jellies exhibit in the Southern California/Baja Gallery and in the lagoon jellies exhibit in the Tropical Gallery will broadcast images onto a screen next to the exhibit and play the translated sounds of the jelly movements. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., allowing attendees to visit the Jellies exhibits and view the sonification stations. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Symphony