Spectral: Expanding an Electromagnetic Practice Through Urban Ecologies
During his time in residence through SCCA’s R|Artist Residency: Urban Ecologies, Melbourne-based audio-visual artist Vijay Thillaimuthu returned to his investigation into electromagnetic phenomena. The outcome of this period of focused research and collaboration was Spectral, an immersive live work presented within the CAVE2 facility at University of the Sunshine Coast.
Electromagnetic radiation is an omnipresent byproduct of modern urban life. It radiates from power lines, networking systems and personal devices, forming an invisible layer of infrastructure that shapes our environment beyond the limits of human perception. Throughout the residency, Vijay approached this phenomenon not simply as technical material, but as an ecological condition, one that invites reflection on the broader impact of technological expansion.
Central to the development of Spectral was the refinement of custom electromagnetic recording devices, including induction coils and wideband receivers housed in 3D-printed frames. These tools enabled the capture of the “sonic fingerprint” of local electrical systems. Signals that first appeared as interference gradually revealed harmonic structures and distinct tonal behaviours. The residency provided time and technical support to transform these recordings into the foundation of a cohesive, real-time system.
Community engagement formed an integral part of this process. A public workshop invited participants to build their own electromagnetic recording devices, demystifying the technology and encouraging hands-on exploration of the built environment. Recordings captured during the session were shared with Vijay and later incorporated into the evolving composition. In this way, the local electromagnetic environment, experienced and recorded collectively, became embedded within the final presentation.
Access to the CAVE2 advanced visualisation environment was pivotal. The 320-degree immersive display enabled the spatial mapping of electromagnetic data at architectural scale. Rather than presenting sound and image as separate layers, Spectral was developed as a voltage-driven system in which audio and visual forms are generated from the same underlying signals. Real-time waveform and frequency analysis informed the behaviour of dynamic geometric fields, allowing multiple expressions of voltage to unfold simultaneously across the space.
The preview presentation operated as a live performance rather than a fixed installation. With no pre-recorded media, the sound and visuals were generated entirely in real time from electromagnetic feedback and modular synthesis processes. The composition responded to signal fluctuations in the moment, meaning the work existed uniquely within that specific time and space and cannot be precisely replicated.
In conversation with Leah Barclay, Vijay reflected on how the residency enabled him to test longstanding ideas at a new level of integration, bringing together custom hardware, immersive visual systems and spatialised audio in a unified framework. The experience of working within the CAVE2 environment also shifted the scale of the project, encouraging a move toward fully enveloping, site-responsive composition.
Looking ahead, Vijay intends to continue developing Spectral for touring contexts, adapting the system for presentation in other immersive environments. Future iterations may introduce interactive elements, allowing audiences to directly influence electromagnetic inputs and further explore the relationship between infrastructure, perception and agency.
Follow Vijay’s journey:
@xenosine_
xenosine.com
—
R|Artist Residency: Urban Ecologies is presented by SCCA through The Refinery. Supported by Major Partners: Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, Sunshine Coast Council through the Regional Arts Development Fund, and the Creative Ecologies Research Cluster at UniSC, and Media Partners: In Publishing (Hello Sunshine Magazine and IN Noosa Magazine).
Sign up for updates and be the first to know about our upcoming programs.