Custom-made sonic chairs by Livingston Sound have transducers that radiate sound through the sitter's spine, making for the ultimate in immersive experiences. The idea was first developed as an attempt to connect an audience with the tactile essence of playing the cello, conveying the immediacy of the vibrations felt by the performer. Two elements are always combined in the installation known as Please Be Seated, cello performances by Hugh Livingston and sounds of flowing water. Each chair in the group is different, encouraging audience engagement with different experiences, ranging from long sustained ringing notes to rapidfire pizzicato.

The chairs can be commissioned with custom music, and the technology can be fitted to various types of chairs, but preferably those of lightweight materials, single piece construction, and as enveloping as possible. The chairs shown are the Gogo chair by Sintesi Milano. A highly recommended version is the Gogola chair shown below, available in orange, pale green, off white and translucent blue.

An annotated video of the first installation, at the Kaiser Rooftop Garden. Over 1,500 people have enjoyed the cello chairs. Order a set today!

The installation Please Be Seated has been exhibited in Oakland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Healdsburg, Prague, Slavonice (CZ) and Schlägl (AUS). It can be combined with live performance, and be made interactive based on actions of the audience. The most common form of the installation is 4 chairs arrayed some distance from each other in an outdoor setting. A table can also be used, with sound emerging from it as well. Each sound source provides a separate musical line, so that the experience varies with position, yet the lines join together in a unified musical experience. Sounds of any river can be requested.

Kids like them too!