Sál | Rite is one of the levels through which the project Sál unfolds, the third chapter in fuse*’s trilogy of live-media operas alongside Dökk and Ljós.
In its early prototype phase, it has taken the form of a performance that, following a parallel flow to the narration of the main show, invites participants to take part in a collective ritual where meditation becomes the gateway to states of consciousness at the very edge of perception.
Teatro Asioli, 2021 | ph. Enrico Maria Bertani
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To explore the mental states of participants, the project leverages EEG (electroencephalography) technology, revealing the constant, usually invisible swarm of cerebral processes.
Using Muse 2 headsets, we capture raw data from four brainwave sensors and heart activity via the PPG method, which allows us to measure both the frequency and the variance of the heart activity. The four sensors, located in different points of the head, measure the value of the local electric potential expressed in microvolts, compared to a reference electrode placed in the center of the forehead. These signals provide information about the general trend of brain activity and its intensity, but give few clues about the quality of the mental states in action.
Teatro Asioli, 2021 | ph. Enrico Maria Bertani
Scientific literature has, over the years, established a correlation between the relative intensity of frequencies within specific bands and some mental states. In particular, Alpha waves (8–13 Hz) are linked to relaxation and calm, Theta waves (4–7 Hz) to deep relaxation and sleep, while Beta (13–32 Hz) and Delta (>32 Hz) are associated with alertness and concentration. By observing the relative intensity of Alpha compared to Beta and Delta over time, we can identify moments of greater or lesser meditative depth.
This allows meditators to share their inner journey with others, not as a definitive measurement of consciousness, but as a lens, imperfect yet powerful, to expand perception and make the continuous transformations of the mind tangible.
Because our perception is often dominated by sight, Sál | Rite uses sound as the primary guide for focus and immersion. A spoken voice leads the meditation, setting its path and rhythm, while Ambisonic technology, implemented using a dedicated IRCAM library, creates a fully enveloping spatial sound field.
Sound objects are positioned in a virtual space and reproduced through multiple speakers, giving the listener the sensation of being physically inside it.
Teatro Asioli, 2021 | ph. Enrico Maria Bertani
In the first part of the performance, processed and transformed sampled sounds convey a sense of material and spiritual dissolution, still maintaining traces of their physical origins.
In the second part, these are replaced by pure vibrations: from a fundamental frequency, a series of harmonics emerge, shifting slowly in position and intensity within the virtual space. The result is a rarefied yet constantly evolving sonic landscape, in which the inner state of meditation becomes a shared, multi-sensory experience.
Teatro Asioli, 2021 | ph. Enrico Maria Bertani
Teatro Asioli, 2021 | ph. Enrico Maria Bertani
Teatro Asioli, 2021 | ph. Enrico Maria Bertani
Teatro Asioli, 2021 | ph. Enrico Maria Bertani
Sál | Rite is an artwork by fuse*
Art Direction: Mattia Carretti
Executive Production: Mattia Carretti, Luca Camellini
Concept: Mattia Carretti and Roberto Ferrari
Meditation Guide: Roberto Ferrari
Music Composition and Live Performance: Riccardo Bazzoni and Nicola Berselli
Software Development: Alessandro Mintrone, Matteo Mestucci
Hardware Engineering: Matteo Mestucci, Alessandro Mintrone
Production Assistant: Martina Reggiani
Communication and Copywriting: Giulia Caselli, Filippo Aldovini, Martina Reggiani
Video Report: Matteo Torsani
Special thanks to ASIA Modena and Teatro Asioli Correggio
Winner of RESIDENZE DIGITALI, curated by Centro di Residenza della Toscana (Armunia – CapoTrave/Kilowatt), in collaboration with AMAT, Anghiari Dance Hub, ATCL for Spazio Rossellini, Centro di Residenza Emilia-Romagna (L’arboreto-Teatro Dimora / La Corte Ospitale), Teatro della Tosse, Zona K
