B1DR is a multisensory infrasound and music experience
Elephants use deep bass infrasound to communicate and express themselves even when separated from each other by great distances. Listening-in on this hidden world is a rare and uniquely visceral experience and one that has now become a new form of audio spectacle.
B1DR (BEWONDER) is an awe-inspiring presentation of visuals, music and cutting-edge infrasound technology presented by composer and technologist Franco Schoeman (MMus). This creative incorporation of music and infrasound holds potential for the hearing-impaired to join the audience and feel the energy.
What is infrasound?
Infrasound is acoustic vibrations below 20 Hz. While it is considered inaudible to humans, it is being incorporated into music and applications for conservation by Franco Schoeman.
Franco is also unleashing infrasonic technology into real-world applications, namely creating infrasonic “elephant gates” that allow elephants to migrate safely along specific corridors in Africa. This year, Franco, together with Ascendo Immersive Audio and Marc Sherratt, Sustainability Architects (MSSA), travelled to the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia in Italy to present the elephant gate project in an exhibit called “Talking to Elephants”.
“Technology has provided leverage for the incorporation of infrasound in the modern world. There is a wide-open frontier ready to be discovered for its potential benefits in artistic expression, wildlife management and human psychological and physiological stimulation” – Franco
Now, for the first time, B1DR is coming to the local stage.
On 8 September, B1DR launches an audio and visual spectacle created in honour of Deaf Awareness Month. The event is titled Beyond Silence, reflecting the 2025 deaf awareness theme, and for this unique audience, an exploration of infrasound and music inspired by animal expression will become an unforgettable, visceral experience. Those with all degrees of hearing loss and who use all different hearing technologies are encouraged to come and experience music in a unique whole body ‘hearing experience’. Beyond Silence will take place at Fairtree Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria on 8 September, hosted by and in support of Whispers Speech and Hearing Centre. Tickets are available through Seatme. Book now for an immersive experience that will engage your senses like never before.
You may also like the following events from Fairtree Atterbury Teater/Theatre:
Also check out other
Arts events in Pretoria,
Exhibitions in Pretoria,
Theatre events in Pretoria.
