Piano wire, Chalk boulders, Galvanised Clamps, Iron pipes, Plywood, Custom electronics and software
Gravitational Vibrations is a sound sculpture, made for the exhibition “The Overheard”. It was situated in an underground pond inside the old chalk-mine Mønsted Kalkgruber.
Listen to a recording of the sculpture here:
The sculpture consists of a 6m tall steel frame with 8 piano strings attached, spanned by large boulders. The piano strings each have a pitch that is determined by their length and the weight of the boulder.
Inside the sculpture, is a set of electromagnetic coils which when activated, causes the strings to oscillate, creating long drone-like sounds. Another system of servo motors can strike the strings with a more percussive effect. These two systems are the basis of the composition, but the sound itself will be shaped by the acoustic amplification of the resonant frame and the unique acoustics inside Mønsted Kalkgruber.
The appearance and sound of the sculpture will change over time – the steel will oxidize and boulders will grow algae and the like from its surroundings. The sound will also change over time as the composition is based on a preprogrammed generative system that is manipulated and deconstructed with data from various sensors installed in the sculpture.
Mønsted Kalkgruber Mønsted, DK, May-Nov. 2017
Supported by “Aarhus European Capital of Culture 2017” and “The Overheard”
