Peter Keene

Singing sausage

Peter Keene 2005

Sausage of Montbéliard, rotating mechanism, mercury bath, synthesizer, electronic control system.


A rotating skewered Montbeliard sausage is transpierced by silver needles placed at intervals around the perimeter.
A high frequency signal is injected into either ends via a system of rotating contacts (slip rings).
The signal is recuperated by needle contact with the mercury bath. This, in turn is passed onto a voltage controlled oscillator producing a frequency modulation audio signal. The skin effect of the interference between this high frequency signal and the sausage creates a sequence of musical notes.

photo : Rolan Ménégon

singing-sausage, installation Peter Keene