198 national anthems from the world’s countries arranged in a vertical,
symmetrical stack. Played for the duration with bell curve as defined parameter
with demarcation line representing point of departure to the - unattainable?

The longest – Uraguay’s begins and ends the audio with a nice, loping intro.
The shortest anthem from Qatar comes in a mere 36 seconds and is sandwiched
directly in the middle with most others as most anthems come in at a minute or
less. I was curious to see if at the apex, beyond the expected dissonant sounds
on the sides of the curve, there might be almost a pure, white nose. Static. It
comes close though.

Based on government tests (atomic blasts, plane military test crashes) we are
taken through a test – this time with themes closer to the human condition:
want, desire, and spiritual transcendence if you will. The parameters are already
set though. Could be construed as ultimately fatalistic and pessimistic. That’s
possible.

with help from Emily Franz and Henry Mansfield IV
2007 michael paulus