Parasonic is an interactive sculpture designed to envelop the listener in the noise of rain. The name is derived of parasol + sonic. Essentially, this sculpture is an umbrella fitted with sensors, an amplifier, and a headphone jack. The listener is then able to plug in their own pair of headphones into the jack, and is able to be cocooned in a sonic sheet as they walk around in the rain.
The piece is meant to be an isolating yet personal experience which allows individuals to amplify the common afterthought of rain. It speaks to the idea of a culture in which individuals separate themselves from the world by the use of headphones. It is a conscious separation from the bustling noisy soundscapes and quiet parks and rivers. We can witness this on the bus, at our grocery stores, and especially at the local university campus. This piece is in many ways a reversal of that idea, yet utilizes the same technology and concept to do so. It is aimed at allowing humans to focus on external stimuli as opposed to internal ones and make individuals feel like a part of the outside world.