Whirlwind
An outdoor wind/sound installation by Absolute Value of Noise © 2015

The Whirlwind is a strange instrument. It gathers energy from the wind and sun and converts it into white noise. When the wind blows, the sound of surf can be heard, emitted from the Whirlwind's brass horns. When the wind is low, the instrument draws its power from the sun, and the sounds are quiet. When the wind is strong, the electric energy generated by two small motors is used to create a louder, more stuttering sound. The Whirlwind uses the energy of the real wind to create a fake wind sound - the type of sound you might hear in a film soundtrack. It's a sound that the real wind doesn't make, except indirectly by moving water or leaves.

Whirlwind: recording during a light to brisk breeze - May 16, 2015.

This piece was made for Second Site collective's Wind Garden at Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, May 31st, 2015 - a Tea Party and wind-crafting workshop from 1pm to 4pm.

Photo of the Whirlwind's horns, May 2015.

Photo of the Whirlwind spinning in a light breeze, May 2015.

Photo of the Whirlwind parts - designed for rapid assembly, May 2015.

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