Forschung zirpt für die Kunst

Zirpt derzeit in Schweizer Kunstinstallation: die Malaysische Laubheuschrecke, gezüchtet und erforscht an der Uni Graz. Foto: Uni Graz

Zoologe Manfred Hartbauer leitet Schweizer Kompositionsprojekt mit Heuschrecken-Klängen

„Synchronicity: Fireflies, Crickets and Machines“ nennt sich die Installation des Schweizer Künstlers und Komponisten Robin Meier, die noch bis einschließlich Sonntag im Volkshaus Basel zu sehen und hören ist. Meier synchronisiert dabei Maschinengeräusche mit dem Zirpen von Laubheuschrecken und Glühwürmchen zu einem pulsierenden Takt. Einen Teil der Tiergesänge steuern die an der Uni Graz gezüchteten Malaysischen Laubheuschrecken bei. Zoologe Manfred Hartbauer hat die wissenschaftliche Leitung dieses Projekts übernommen. „Wir arbeiten seit vielen Jahren mit synchronisierenden Insekten und wissen, welche Stimuli und Rhythmen man verwenden muss, um die Signale artübergreifend in Gleichklang zu bringen“, erklärt der Experte. Hartbauer hat schon einige erstaunliche Erkenntnisse über die Ursachen und Mechanismen publiziert, die zu synchronen Gesängen führen.

Dagmar Eklaude

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Damenwahl

Grazer ZoologInnen erforschen, was bei Grillen-Weibchen gut ankommt