OVERVIEW
As part of the listening experience Archivos de Radio Piedras by Nicolás Jaar — a 3.5-hour immersive audio work exploring memory, territory, and resistance — I created and directed a complementary installation titled Piedras del Tiempo. This site-specific piece transformed the space into a multisensory environment designed to deepen the audience’s engagement with the sonic narrative through light, symbolism, and projection.
THE CHALLENGE
The goal was to enhance a durational audio experience with a physical and visual counterpart — without distracting from its contemplative nature. The challenge was to design an installation that could subtly echo the themes of the audio work (identity, cycles, transformation) while maintaining a poetic, quiet presence. It needed to be immersive, symbolic, and sensorially aligned with Jaar’s world.
Design Approach
1
Defining the Conceptual Axis.
I developed a system of seven illuminated stones, each representing a central theme from the piece: fire, water, darkness, light, storm, technology, and origin. These acted as physical anchors for the listening experience, connecting abstract ideas to symbolic, tactile elements in the space.
2
Designing Light and Atmosphere.
The stones were programmed to react to the rhythm of the audio, pulsing and shifting subtly in sync with the sound. Their illumination created a breathing presence — an ambient language that responded to the emotional flow of the work.
3
Integrating Motion Typography.
During each episode, verses from that chapter were projected into the space using animated type. These phrases moved in dialogue with the sound, adding a visual layer of interpretation and guiding the listener’s inner journey without imposing a linear reading.
4
Staging the Environment.
The installation was designed for stillness and introspection: low lighting, surround sound, and spatial openness allowed each visitor to move freely or remain still, engaging with the piece at their own pace.
Key Design Decisions
Symbolic stone system, each one representing a thematic core of the work.
Audio-reactive lighting, enhancing the rhythm and emotional undertones.
Projected verses with motion, offering a poetic visual layer aligned with the soundscape.
Minimal, meditative staging, fostering immersion and personal reflection.
FINAL IMPACT
Piedras del Tiempo transformed the listening of Archivos de Radio Piedras into a full-body, full-space experience. The interplay between sound, light, text, and symbolism invited deep introspection — making each listener not just a receiver of the work, but part of its living landscape. The installation demonstrated how spatial and visual design can expand the emotional resonance of a sound piece, creating an ecosystem of meaning beyond the auditory.