VIDEO: RUHR 2010 European Capital of Culture, Rhein-Herne-Canal (2010)
Description
The artist placed three sound sources into the landscape and played large spaces the canal landscape.
Two of the sound sources faced each other on the canal: The compression air horns near the cement pumps
on one side of the canal and the M-Pipes, a Brane, compression air horns, and compression air pipes on
the other. The third sound location was mobile. A switcher of the Wanner-Herner-Railroad transported
the instruments over a distance of 1.5 kilometers.
A horn group consists of 64 horns, small,
modified ship’s horns. 32 horns have copper bells whose sound color is reminiscent of trumpets.
Each wind machine is powered by a portable air compressor of the type used in road construction
with a minimum pressure of 7 bar or 100 psi (pounds per square inch) and an air flow capacity
of 1.000 to 2000 CFM (cubic feet per minute), These units have an operating dBA as low as 64 db
which significantly reduces the incidence of unwanted noise. The ship’s horns are tuned diatonically
and are controlled by a computer.
Materials: steel, copper Weight: Dimensions: length 220cm [=7.2 feet] x width 80cm [=2.6 feet] x height 140cm [=4.6 feet]
A horn group consists of 64 horns,
small, modified ship’s horns. 32 horns have glass fiber and synthetic resin bells whose
sound color is reminiscent of English horns. The ship’s horns are tuned diatonically
and are controlled by a computer.
Materials: steel, copper, glass fiber synthetic Weight: 150 kg Dimensions: height 400cm [=13.1 ft.] x width 200cm [=6.6 ft.]
The development of the sound generator
for the Helix Horns took several attempts, the last and best solution was the “Zetfon,”
the sound generator for a classic ship’s horn produced by the Zöllner Company and which
was adapted for the Helix Horn.
There are eight Helix Horns in different sizes and fundamental notes, each fitted with its
own electrical pneumatic sound generator. A specially constructed MIDI-control allows each
Helix Horn to play several notes and their overtones.
Materials: steel sheets which galvanized in a silvery sheen Weight: 110 kg Dimensions: several sizes; the more slender design is 3.50 meters [=11.5 ft.]
high, has a total length of 12 meters.
Specially built nozzles enhance the
blow noises of the air stream, the tone appears rough. Drainpipe tubing is mounted to
sixteen valves, the controllable air stream generates strong sounds.
Material: steel, pipes, 8 gas valves, 300 mBar blower Weight: 145 kg Dimensions: height 200cm [=6.6 ft] x length 200cm [=6.6 ft] x width 350cm [=11.5 ft]
Each Brane consists of a membrane,
which is vibrated bij an air stream movingover a circular mounting. Brane's acoustic
color and pitch level is determined by the sounds occurring at the end of a tube.
Schläger bundled sixteen Branes and mounted them - similar to Kulong and Typedrum -
on a ring at a height of 3.40 meters.
Material: steel profiles, rubber membranes, valve block Weight: 120 kg Dimensions: length 460cm [15.1 ft] x height 340cm [=11.2 ft]
