751 D·PARK Sound Installations

PILLS collaborated with producer Yadong Zhang to create sound art installations for Beijing 751D · Park. The park is located at the site of the historic 751 Factory, which was once an important energy supply site in Beijing. The project aimed to bring sustainable development to the site by integrating new-era speakers into the industrial heritage landscapes and to create a connection between space and sound. Based on four sound principles: sound transmission, echo, sound figures, and natural soundscape, PILLS created four soundscape installations named "dragonfly," "fox," "rabbit," and "hedgehog." These devices utilized structures in public spaces, such as the cracking furnace, pipelines, and gas storage tanks. The project used existing aerial corridors in the park to guide people to rediscover and understand these industrial heritage sites. "Dragonfly" was located on the observation platform of the cracking furnace. It consisted of floating airbags with fine threads that formed a cloud-like structure. The tangles of wires disrupted the relationship between microphones and earphones, making it difficult to distinguish the source and destination of sound. This created random interactions and unexpected encounters among visitors. "Fox" disguised itself as part of the cracking furnace pipeline and provided a meditation space for people to listen to echoes. Visitors could tap on the pipe wall and step inside the device to release new sounds. The device rotated every 12 hours, introducing light and shadow and driving sound production. It allowed visitors to participate and resonate with their inner world actively. "Rabbit" resembled a rusty industrial pipeline on the outside but presented a three-dimensional sound image on the inside. The inner surface was a kaleidoscope composed of mirrored edges that reflected the surrounding landscape. When the audience touched or pressed the inner wall, the edges rotated and collided with metal plates, creating sounds. The fragmented image inside the kaleidoscope responded to the rhythm created by visitors. The device served as a visual focus for the open space and connected with other sound devices in the series. "Hedgehog" utilized the gas storage tank as a large-scale industrial sound device. It had a mechanical dome that could be opened to release a smoke ring, which vibrated the air and triggered a sound rod. The space under the dome was an anechoic chamber designed to focus on the on-site sound and accommodate various activities. The project transformed the industrial space of 751D · Park into a dynamic and interactive sound field. It turned the industrial park into a place that generated stories and carried meaning. The weathered appearance of the metal structures served as a reminder of the park's history and added to its unique character.