The Heartbeat Amplifier at Burning Man artistic effort was a festival project involving a collaboration between Alan Macy and Hitch McDermid with the support of dozens of volunteers.
In June 2009, on a cold night in Michigan, Hitch had a vision to amplify the sound of the human heart through bass heavy speakers. Soon thereafter, Dr. Mike North, a mutual friend introduced Hitch to Alan Macy, a biomedical scientist and artist with a similar dream. Alan suggested the use of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal as the source for Hitch’s Burning Man art project. Within a few weeks, Alan developed an ECG amplifier and light driver. Soon thereafter, Hitch and Alan undertook some experiments in Fishbon’s Pescadrome studio in Santa Barbara.
Naturally, as prototype development progressed, with Randolf Crowson’s and Jeffrey Boynton’s attendance too, the ideas started coming. What began as a wish to simply amplify the heartbeat, soon morphed into the understanding that amplified sound did not have to be the stopping point. Other sensory aspects could be included and so the sensations of touch, light and heat were incorporated. With great excitement, Alan, Hitch, Jeffrey and Randolf began amplifying their own heartbeats in real-time, shaking the rafters with sound, reverberating their bodies with subsonic haptics and lighting up the room with the pulse of their hearts.
With Alan’s technical expertise and Hitch’s team-building leadership, they became art project collaborators. Hitch put together a team of 35 volunteers to build the art and infrastructure of what became the Heartbeat Amplifier at Burning Man, 2009. Festival efforts from Lightning in a Bottle 2010, and later, involved the use of the 2nd Generation Heartbeat Amplifier.
As a spectator at Burning Man – one observed multiple participants, sitting in comfortable chairs, seeming very relaxed. However, there was an orchestra of sound and light happening all around the participants. The environment changed as people came and went from the chairs. Multiple participants created a constantly mutating art experience.
The experience for participants and spectators was beautiful, mysterious and surreal.
Heartbeat Amplifier Contributors
Corinna Maharani: Extraordinary seamstress and creator of Heartbeat Amplifier fabric covers
Mike North: Without whose magical abilities this project would never have happened.
Mark Goerner: Mark Goerner joined the collaborative festival project as the lead structure designer for Lightning in a Bottle (LIB) 2011.
Aaron Cutchin: Capable and steadfast, always provides critical support in a pinch.
Steve Silverman: The big rabbit, whose photographic skill has captured essential moments.
Testimonials
These are entries from the “Heartbeat Diary”, where people wrote about their experiences having their heartbeats amplified by the Heartbeat Amplifier (2nd Generation).
“It was like my heartbeat was being absorbed and played back at my resonant frequency, and massaging my mind and body at the same time…sweet!”~Alex
“So heavenly! I started complex meditations to relax, but then I realized it was enough just to imagine I was petting my cat. Thank you <3” ~Unknown
“I felt like I was inside my own big heart. Thanks.” ~L.A. Sugai
“On our journey, here are beautiful people who shine their light, illuminating us and helping us see the parts of ourselves we don’t see. And that those parts can be awesome! What a gift…” ~Anonymous
“An experience I will never forget” ~Zyggy
“It was interesting how it made my irregular heartbeat easier for me to notice!” ~Anonymous
“It was like my heartbeat was being absorbed and played back at my resonant frequency, and massaging my mind and body at the same time…sweet!” ~Alex
“Wow! The vibration of adrenaline rushing through my heart was so so epic words cannot explain” ~Mango
“Sitting with my sweetheart in the down thumping chair what could be better? Sucking on a pear?” ~Anonymous
“Very cool – a new dimension of me…” ~Falcon
“Our hearts beat to the same beat but never the same…” ~Anonymous
“Awesome! Always try to be very connected to my heart in my life. This was great to see it, feel it, heal it, through an outside source, not my own body. Rad!” ~ Ryan
“I CAN make my heart beat faster. Who’d have thought it?!!” ~Anonymous
“Wow! Amazing! It was like being in my mama’s belly!” ~<3 Lyne
“I really am alive!!” ~Anonymous
“My whole body buzzed after. Thanks so much for all your work!” ~Mayoika
“I can send the fullness of my whole hearted being out into the world and the universe pulsates my own rhythm back in response…” ~Anonymous
“My heartbeat amplified sounds alive, a real big sound, a pulsing beating rhythm of Love. We all have heartbeats, love breathes sensation, motivation, bless, and joy. My heart beats brightly in celebration.” ~Anonymous
“Beautiful to say hello to my heart. My insides. Such a gift!” ~ Bamy G.
“To dive in deep in a way never done before. Thank you.” ~Anonymous
“I felt waves of the world’s energy flowing in and out as I breathed and the bass synchronized the rhythm with me.” ~D.J. From San Diego, CA
“I love my heart. All hearts. Thank you for beating every rhythm of my days. Forever yours…” ~M
“Thank you for such a beautiful and powerful exhibit. My heart is saying so much and you have reminded me to listen!! Thank you for your gift. <3” ~Anonymous
“Thank you for creating something so unique…it was amazing to have something so quietly internal suddenly burst forth. I loved it! :)” ~Debra
“So fascinating to hear and feel the changes…fast & slow…biology & art — yay!!” ~Anonymous
