Soundart partnership Softday's latest project vocalises the movements of Daphnia water fleas.

Softday (Seán Taylor and Mikael Fernström) conceived the project as a response to the increasing incidences of domestic drinking water contaminations in Ireland during 2008. Daphnia are small, planktonic crustaceans, used to test the effects of toxins on an ecosystem. Using a unique virtual matrix and algorithms, Softday in conjunction with the National Water Toxicity Laboratory in Shannon, Co. Clare, translated the movements of these Daphnia in response to toxicity levels in their water into abstract 'live' sound vocalizations.

The resulting work, Nobody leaves 'till the Daphnia sing, forms the basis for an improvisation between the Softday Bacterial Ensemble and the 'choral' Daphnia.

The performance takes place on Saturday 18 April 2009, at 2.00pm and 3.00pm, as part of the Infectious exhibition at The Science Gallery, Trinity College, Dublin.

From 22 April a recording of the Softday Bacterial Ensemble and the Daphnia in concert will be available from the Softday web site.

Posted: 14 April 2009