Most of the sound sculptures we see involve some sort of electronic or digital reaction. It’s rare to find something fully analog that will really blow your mind. Aeolus is a sound sculpture that relies only on the wind, amplifying its movements and giving us a sense of its presence like never before.The piece is an arch adorned with a crown of round steel pipes that point out in all directions. As the wind blows through Aeolus, it creates a range of ambient tones that shift with the direction and intensity of the wind.Artist Luke Jerram drew the inspiration for Aeolus from what he witnessed on a trip to Iran in 2007. There he saw the mosques of Isfahan and spoke to a well digger who told Jerram of the sound the wells made in strong winds, which got him thinking.Aside from it’s grand, steely appearance Aeolus has another visual aspect to it. One can stand within the arch and stare at the landscape through its 310 tubes, providing an altered perspective of the environment. As the outdoor light changes through the day, so does the visual effect of looking through the tubes.Below, Dr. Ian Drumm, an acoustics expert, describes the sonic effect of Aeolus.Aeolus is on tour until this May.
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