Instrument
Daphnia Light Field
The Daphnia Light Field is a musical instrument built around the phototactic behavior of Daphnia. These microscopic crustaceans respond rapidly and collectively to changes in light, forming dynamic swarm patterns that can be observed in real time.
In this instrument, a pressure-sensitive silicone controller is used to generate moving light fields on an LED panel mounted behind the tank. As the light shifts, the Daphnia reorganize, producing emergent spatial patterns that are translated into sound.
Rather than mapping individual organisms to discrete notes, the system focuses on collective motion, density, and rate of change, emphasizing swarm behavior over isolated action.