The harp
transforms wind energy into musical sounds known as aeolian tones, named after
Aeolus, the god of wind in Greek mythology. The wind harp is one of the
oldest musical instruments discovered by man. According to legend, King David
hung his harp in an open window and heard it played by the wind. In more recent
times, aeolian tones can be heard singing from telephone and power lines.
When an
aeolian harp string is activated by the wind, the fundamental is never sounded,
only the overtone series. Wind velocity is directly related to the pitch
heard by the listener; the greater the wind speed, the higher the activated
overtone. The resulting tones have a shimmering, ringing quality.
In accordance
with the laws of fluid dynamics, when air flows past a cylinder (in this
case, a string), it sheds vortices to either side. These are shed alternatingly
in a stable and regularly repeating pattern. When the frequency of this oscillation
matches the frequency to which the string is tuned, an aeolian tone will result.
The string always vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the wind.
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Wind Pavilion
Zanesville,
Ohio 1995
Aeolian Harp
at the International Center for Wild Animals (the Wilds), a 9000 acre
wildlife refuge in Central Ohio. Zanesville, Ohio off Route 78 between
Columbus and Pittsburgh. Call (614)-638-5030 for information. The work
offers shelter and seating for visitors as they listen to
the sounds of the wind. The cedar pavilion reflects the shape of
the octagonal earth mound at the Hopewell Indian site in Newark, Ohio.
Eight copper and teakwood harps are tensioned with stainless steel strings.
Built in collaboration with Skip Stander and Charles Bremer.
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Wind Bow
Artpark, Lewiston NY
1981
Temporary
work formerly at Artpark, Lewiston NY, exploring the synergy of site,
sound and design. Materials include: an earthbanked chamber, steel
pole and 60 stainless steel strings tensioned by a laminated wood arc.
This work was designed to attune the ear to the soundscape of the Niagara
Gorge.Dimensions are 12' X 14' X 5'.
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Harmonic Compass
Lexington,
NY 1985
Temporary
work formerly at Lexington, NY in 1983. An architectural sound structure
in which the tuning system is generated by the topography of
the Lexington Valley. Wires ranging in length from 20' to 250'
are tensioned between five galvanized steel poles and a delta-shaped resonator/shelter
at the top of the hill.
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Wind Antenna
Art on the Beach, NYC
1982
Temporary
work formerly at Art on the Beach, NYC. The aluminum parabolic dish functions
as a resonator and provides ideal focus of wave frequency transmissions.
This work is an exploration of energy conversion systems. Wind Antenna
uses both mast and parabolic dish to convert wind energy into sound waves.
Dimensions are 15' X 8' X 8'.
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Sound
Vessel
A performance/installation
on the Ganges River in Varanasi, India for the Sound Sattra Festival in February
1996. A rowboat equipped with a windharp, underwater microphone and contact
mikes on the oarlocks ferried passengers along the bathing ghats on shore. Sounds
were reinforced by battery-powered amps and mixers aboard the boat. For the
finale, the Mallick family of musicians, led by Biddu Mallick, sang North
Indian Dhrupad songs while floating along the river.
click
here for Sound Vessel sounds
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