Just what do barcodes sound like?

An answer to this question was given at the M-ARS art supermarket in Vienna on February 14, 2008, in the shape of a platform for experimental music: in the presence and with the collaboration of the composers and musicians Christian Mühlbacher, Belush Korenyi, Harry Demmer and Matthias Waldthaler, the sound installation “Sound Of Shopping” designed by Thomas Hirt was opened with an electronic music performance. As part of this, barcodes on the works of the M-ARS artists were converted into a short piece of sound. As a result, each work together with its piece of sound became a unique item.

What was so special was that factors such as the date and time of purchase and the number of works of art bought were integrated in the composition. The only thing that was missing to round off this project was a scanner to read the artistically arranged barcodes so that the music could be performed to its best advantage. Our partner BARCOTEC established contacts with the art scene and TTID enthusiastically jumped at the chance to be part of a sound installation.

Although the technical challenge for the scanner in the project was naturally limited, the powerful DENSO HC-36 was nevertheless chosen. After all, TTID wanted to contribute a high-quality device to this high calibre artistic event. The performance itself not only had artistic an aspect, but was also highly entertaining.

When a work of art was purchased, its barcode was read and a unique sound produced. This was converted into a music file that was able to be downloaded in seconds from the Website www.soundofshopping.com.

That meant all customers of M-ARS had the opportunity to download their personal sound for the work of art as a ringtone on their mobile phone or obtain it at the supermarket checkout via Bluetooth. Without a doubt, the DENSO HC36 has never been put to such unusual use in the history of TTID – and everyone enjoyed it greatly.