[spectre] ACOUSTIC SPACE: RT32: 1st Announcement

Fri Jun 11 19:27:40 CEST 2004

Dear Spectres,

Please find below the first announcement for an event we are holding here
in Latvia, on 22 July, entitled: ACOUSTIC SPACE: RT32.

Taking place at the site of the RT32 radio telescope, the event will
feature a concert and conference celebrating the 10th anniversary of the
conversion of this former military surveillance station into a scientific
research facility.

There are a *very* limited number of tickets available to attend this
event.  If you would like to come, please contact us as soon as you can.

More detailed information on the concert and conference will be released in
a second announcement in approximately two weeks time.

Hope this is of interest to some of you and you'll be able to join us for
the event.

Very best wishes

Honor Harger

r a d i o q u a l i a
http://www.radioqualia.net

*** FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT  ***

..........................................................

ACOUSTIC SPACE: RT32

ORCHESTRATING THE SOLAR SYSTEM

an event celebrating the 10th Anniversary
of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre [ VIRAC ]
a collaboration between VIRAC, RIXC & r a d i o q u a l i a

..........................................................

VIRAC, RIXC & r a d i o q u a l i a invite local and international guests
to join us for a unique event.

Date: 	22.07.04
Time: 	1000 - 2100
Location: 	Riga & Irbene, Latvia
http://www.radioqualia.net/rt32/

INTRODUCTION

On 22 July 1994 a very special event in recent Latvian history transpired.
The Soviet military returned a previously clandestine radio antenna, which
had been concealed in the forests of Western Latvia, back to the Latvian
people. The 32 metre wide radio antenna, christened RT32, turned out to be
one of the most significant technical facilities for listening to high
frequency radio communication in Northern Europe.

Ten years later, RT32 has been converted from military to scientific use,
and is being managed by the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre
(VIRAC) <http://www.virac.lv>.  Now, rather than listening to earth-bound
data, as it did during its espionage days, RT32 turns it's face toward the
sun, listening to planets, stars and the moon.

THE EVENT

Acoustic Space: RT32 - Orchestrating the Solar System is a special event
organised to celebrate the conversion of RT32 from military to scientific
use. It will highlight VIRAC's scientific achievements, and also address
VIRAC's important role in bringing cultural concerns, tactical media and
art into the sphere of astronomical operations.

Acoustic Space: RT32 will feature an excursion from Riga to the site of the
telescopes at Irbene, a press conference by VIRAC scientists, a panel
discussion with astronomers and artists, a drinks reception, the launch of
an installation by RIXC <http://www.rixc.lv>, a preview of the project
Radio Astronomy <http://www.radio-astronomy.net> by r a d i o q u a l i a,
and performances by sound artists, including a special appearance by the
Solar System Orchestra Ensemble.

BACKGROUND

In 1994 the existence of RT32, plus two smaller dishes, and a
communications centre was revealed to the Latvian people. The facilities
formed the communication and command centre, 'Zveolsdoshka' - Russian for
Little Star. Zveolsdoshka was built by the Soviet military and was used by
the KGB to spy on data transmissions between Europe and North-America
during the Cold War. Zveolsdoshka was kept secret for most of its
existence. Normal citizens of Latvia had no idea it existed and the whole
area around it was closed to the public.

When the occupying forces of the Soviet military withdrew from Latvia in
1993, they abandoned Zveolsdoshka. The military were reluctant to give
these technical resources to the Latvian Government, and entertained the
idea of blowing up the satellite dishes. Pressure from the scientific
community dissuaded them, but RT32 was sabotaged by the retreating forces.
Acid was poured into its motors; nails were driven through the electrical
wires, and all the technical plans and schematics explaining how the dish
worked were removed. The dish was effectively ruined.
Since this point, a small group of Latvian scientists have dedicated
themselves to the restoration of RT32. Working without any technical
specifications, and with minimal financial support, they have managed the
remarkable feat of restoring the dish back to working order.

Acoustic Space: RT32 will celebrate their achievements and give the
scientists at VIRAC an opportunity to discuss their work to a local and
international audience.

ABOUT ACOUSTIC SPACE: RT32

* VIRAC Press Conference and Scientific Introduction
VIRAC will deliver a press conference to invited local and international
journalists highlighting the work involved in converting RT32 from military
to civilian use.

* Acoustic Space Conference
VIRAC have played a pioneering role in bringing science and art closer
together, through its collaborations with RIXC on the production of the
Acoustic Space Lab, and other activities. The panel will feature
presentations by local and international speakers, which illustrate the way
that radio astronomy can be used in artistic and cultural contexts.

Speakers will include:
- Rasa Smite & Raitis Smits, RIXC, Latvia
- Adam Hyde & Honor Harger, r a d i o q u a l i a, NZ
- Marko Peljhan, Projekt Atol, Slovenia
- Ewen Chardronett, Ellipse, France
- Gavin Starks, musician & astronomer, UK

* RT32 DVD Installation
RIXC's DVD production, RT32 charts the history of the RT32 antenna and the
other facilities at Irbene, as well as summarising the activities of the
Acoustic Space Lab event. The DVD has been screened at museums, festivals,
and universities internationally. Acoustic Space: RT32 will host a
reception to celebrate the installation of the RT32 DVD as a permanent
display at VIRAC.

* Preview of Radio Astronomy Project
Radio Astronomy is an art/science project by r a d i o q u a l i a
developed in collaboration with NASA's Radio Jove Network (USA), the
Windward Community College Radio Observatory (USA) and VIRAC. It will
enable listeners to tune into different celestial frequencies, hearing
planets, stars, and the constant hiss of cosmic noise. It will reveal the
sonic character of objects in our galaxy, and in the process perhaps make
these phenomena more tangible and comprehensible. The project is indeed
radio astronomy in the literal sense - a radio station devoted to
broadcasting sounds from space. Acoustic Space: RT32 will preview the VIRAC
component of the project.

* Acoustic Space Sound Performances
The showpiece of Acoustic Space: RT32 will be a unique concert on the dish
structure itself.  The concert will comprise soundscapes, electronic music
and sound art created using audio captured from the VIRAC radio telescope
and other radio astronomy sources.  The imposing structure of RT32 will
create a dramatic backdrop for performances by Claustrum (LV), r a d i o q
u a l i a (NZ/LV) and the Solar System Orchestra Ensemble (MW).

PROGRAMME

Check: http://www.radioqualia.net/rt32/ for updates to the programme

1000 - 1300: Excursion from Riga to Irbene

1300 - 1400: Welcome, tours of RT32 & coffee

1400 - 1500: VIRAC Press Conference & Scientific Introduction
Presentations by VIRAC scientists, summarising the conversion of RT32 from
military to scientific use

1500 - 1615: Acoustic Space Conference
Presentations by international artists, musicians and astronomers
introducing cultural and artistic explorations of radio astronomy:
- Rasa Smite & Raitis Smits, RIXC, Latvia
- Adam Hyde & Honor Harger, r a d i o q u a l i a, NZ
- Marko Peljhan, Projekt Atol, Slovenia
- Ewen Chardronett, Ellipse, France
- Gavin Starks, musician & astronomer, UK

1615- 17:00: Dinner & Reception
The launch of the Acoustic Space Lab DVD display & a preview of the Radio
Astronomy project

17:00 - 18:30: Acoustic Space sound performances
Featuring performances by:
- Claustrum, Latvia
- r a d i o q u a l i a, NZ
- + a special appearance by the Solar System Orchestra Ensemble!
Other performances TBA

1830 - 2130: Excursion from Irbene to Riga

TICKETS

A limited number of tickets will be made available to local and
international guests for a nominal fee. The ticket will cover the cost of
the excursion from Riga to Irbene, the discussions, performances, reception
& fine Latvian fare on site at Irbene.  If you wish to attend please
contact:

Signe Pucena
Ph: +371 7228478
Email: signe at rixc.lv

OR

Honor Harger
Email: honor at va.com.au

Riga Centre for New Media Culture RIXC
11 Novembra Krastmala 35 - 201
LV 1050 Riga
Latvia
http://www.rixc.lv

END

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honor harger

r a d i o q u a l i a:
http://www.radioqualia.net

current work: radio astronomy
http://www.radio-astronomy.net

present location: riga .lv
email: honor at va.com.au
http://www.radioqualia.net/honor/latvia/art_nouveau/