Overtone Circles

The overtone circles are a series of sound sculptures created according to an identical principle. On a circular steel plate, a slowly rising overtone is generated by excitation of the outer edge. This process ends when the resonance volume is fully developed. During the long phase of the decay, a phenomenon occurs -the tone very slowly becomes quieter and quieter and then seems to be inaudible, although the steel still vibrates noticeably.

Placed on a speaker, in large versions with a substructure, it reproduces the acoustic recording of the steel. This creates a specific lateral radiation between the floor and the object with an extremely horizontal sound image. This supports the symbiotic impression of the sound as belonging to the object.

In a solitary presentation I am particularly interested in the possibility of a changed expectation of occurrence and silence. The return of the sound event in the open space of a park landscape enlivens especially the listening moments in between. Apparently the expectation of a new audibility causes an increase of all sound perceptions in their presence and simultaneity.

In the arrangement of several overtone circles with different diameters and material thicknesses I work with different temporal structures. In these formations, superimpositions and parallel events, compressions and additions occur. The polytonality given by the processing method of the material is presented as an event, as volume and variety of sound, as an overlapping and space-filling principle.

• Galerie Giannozzo, Berlin 1989

• The Baltic Sculpture Exhibition, Visby 1993

• Werkstatt Schloß, Kulturamt, Wolfsburg 1997

Round steel sheets in various diameters and material thicknesses; speakers; cable; 1-channel composition; electronical equipment.