Paul Panhuysen

This Paul Panhuysen work is a composition in two parts. The same magic square is transposed in two versions. One can be experienced by the eyes, the other one by the ears. Both parts are produced from the numbers of the same magic square of 5. A magic square is a series of numbers arranged in a square grid so that the sum of each horizontal and vertical row and of the corner diagonals is always the same.
Magic squares reveal harmony of number and refer to the nature of existence and a cosmic order dominated by mathematical regularity. Number is the origin of all things, Pythagoras said, and Boethius said music is numbers made audible. Presented as a room installation, 'A magic square of 5 to look at' is a floorpiece of 5 x 5 m, and 'A magic square of 5 to listen to' can be heard through a quadraphonic sound system, performing the four staffs of the score independently, starting about 5 seconds after each other. The audience moves around the floorpiece in the space.

The sounds are recorded on computer using the programme CSOUND with assistence of Leon van Noorden. The master CD-R was made with technical assistence of René Adriaans. This work was designed for and premiered as a site-specific sound installation at the Puddles Festival 2003 at Jusshi Square in Tokyo from September 13-24 in 2003.