MOS (Mountain Operated Synth) is a site specific electronic sculpture that is installed at the second base camp on Mount Merapi, in Java, Indonesia.

MOS is comprised of 9 oscillators all encased inside three separate bamboo mounted flags. Each flag controls 3 oscillators each connected to 3 different analogue sensors: a) wind is detected through tilt sensors in the flag itself b) air moisture is detected through conductive contacts which are sewn into the fabric transforming the fabric itself into an active conductor c) soil activity is monitored via conductive contacts which are planted into the ground in the flag’s post. All these sensors create varying levels of resistance which act as analogue control voltage for each corresponding oscillator.

The result is a chorus of weaving oscillators which vary and change according to weather and electromagnetic conditions in the atmosphere and ecosystem.

MOS was developed as a response to the extremely lively, fertile and volatile site itself. The work is intended as an offering to the mountain and to the people who might happen to encounter the work while walking up. MOS is a synthesiser built for the mountain itself to play and perhaps express its nature.

The second base camp is about 2000 meters up the active volcano and takes approximately 3 hours to hike. The work is powered by solar and is installed with the intention to remain there.

This work was made possible by the Instrument Builders Project, a residency which occurred in June-July, 2013 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The project was curated by Kristy Monfries and Joel Stern and facilitated at iCAN.