ORPHEO

ORPHEO — The Shape of Sound
Mr Don Gao
Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

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Ceramic with platinum, brass, wood, steel, oxidised copper
Diameter: 2.5 metres
Height: 2.5 metres

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ORPHEO — The Shape of Sound was conceived as a site-specific project for Mr Don Gao, at the invitation of Paolo Andriolo.

The work consists of a sound sculpture in ceramic with a platinum finish, suspended within the space. The ceramic body enters into dialogue with elements of brass, wood, steel and oxidised copper.

The central musical instrument resonates with the site, immersing the visitor in a liquid and immersive sound field.

At the centre of the installation, a large oxidised copper disc contains an extremely thin veil of water, only a few millimetres deep. The non-coherent waves transmitted into the water generate ever-changing patterns, revealing the real, dimensional form of sound.

In ORPHEO, the simplified idea of the wave as a circle — an abstract, mathematical image of the acoustic phenomenon — disappears. In its place emerges a deeper vision: the living, complex and unstable composition of the sound wave.

 

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