You Can Sing Me on My Way

As you walk around this spherical, gold-colored 3D installation, inspired by René Magritte’s painting La voix des airs, you hear sean-nós songs. This Irish Gaelic singing is an age-old tradition in Ireland, dating back to a time when the written word did not yet exist and news was passed on through songs. It was how people kept important stories from local history alive.

Now that this tradition is in danger of dying out, artist Seán Hannan, in collaboration with researcher Bram van Es, is using a specially trained artificial intelligence application to breathe new life into sean-nós. Based on what the AI considers important, topical songs are generated and added to a database. This produces the new lyrics, compositions and vocals that are heard continuously from this installation.

Innovative technology is thus used to power a chronicler in the “old style” which retains the essence of humanity. Using their own smart phones, visitors can view an English translation of the Irish Gaelic lyrics.