Barographic: Sage Gateshead by Ed Carter
Live at Sage Gateshead, part of Festival of the North East

L-R
Ed Cross (violin)
Josephine Montgomery (violin)
Chrissie Slater (viola)
Ele Leckie (cello)
Ian Paterson (upright bass)
Ged Robinson (drums)
Mark Edwards (vibraphone)
Simon Canaway (guitar / lapsteel)
Ed Carter (piano / synth)

Recorded by Michael Archibold, mixed by Ed Carter.

Barographic is a site-specific composition which creates graphic scores from atmospheric pressure data, and uses the architectural form of the venue as an animated 3D sequencer.

For the first phase of the project, a clockwork barograph was installed to record the ‘atmosphere’ at The Sage Gateshead. Over the course of four weeks (March-April 2013), a series of graphs was produced, charting changes in atmospheric pressure during the seasonal transition from Winter to Spring.

This mechanised process created the graphic scores which form the central elements of the new composition. Alongside these scores, the venue’s architectural structure acts as a 3D animated sequencer, creating melodies and rhythms that correspond to patterns that are inherent within the design of the building.

The finished piece was performed live at The Sage Gateshead on Wednesday 26 June, as part of Festival of the North East.

This project has received support from PRS For Music Foundation, Arts Council England, and Festival of the North East.