Heliosonics
A solar powered sound project by
Ernie Althoff
Heliosonics
is a collection of 26 (one
electronic, and 25 kinetic) percussive sounding devices designed to play
in various outdoor spaces. All are powered by solar energy.
This
CD features 16 tracks on which groupings of the machines are recorded in
specific environments.
The sound machines of
Heliosonics
can be divided into two groups in a number of ways. For instance, their
sounding components are either of wood (bamboo or 'manufactured' plywood
and dowel) or metal (aluminium or tinplate). A more important division
is the grouping of those that sound continuously, and those that sound
sporadically (thirteen in each group).
This continuous / sporadic division provides
a simple yet effective way to categorise the sounds of the sea, cicada
song and traffic hum against a sudden birdcall, the squeaky hinges of an
opened gate and a bottle smashed in a back alley. The model for
Heliosonics
is the sound world of the environment - it is designed to emulate but not
imitate.
Heliosonics
partners the real world - and the real
world
plays
Heliosonics
.
70 minute CD, 12 page booklet insert with
descriptive texts and colour photographs of the sound machines.
See also reviews by Edward
Kelly
and Warren
Burt.
NMACD 9902 : $30.00 + $4.00 post
Ordering information