Shock Lines

As the Material Responds

Essay by Aimee Frodsham

Shock Lines, is an immersive glass and sound installation created by artist and designer Caitlin Dubler, sound artist Natasha Dubler, and percussionist Niki Johnson. Through performance and experimentation, the work explores glass’s resonant qualities and our perception of the fragile material.

At the heart of Shock Lines is the idea that glass, commonly viewed as fragile and utilitarian, can be activated in new and unexpected ways. Many sounds are commonly associated with glass: the sustained hum of a wet finger circling a wine glass, the bright “ping” of a gently struck vessel, or the sudden, jarring crash of breaking glass. 

When vibrated, rubbed, or hit, glass produces some of the purest sound waves of any material. Its rigid structure allows vibrations to travel efficiently, creating tones that are strikingly clear, resonant, and, for me, emotionally charged. The artists in Shock Lines harness these qualities to push the limits of how we hear and interact with glass.

continued in artist booklet, see here