Wednesday 3 February 2010

The Domain, Dual Nature

This artwork sits on the shore of Wolloomooloo Bay, near the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool. Dual Nature, created by Nigel Helyer in 1999, is described as a soundscape installation. It relates to the history of people and shipping in Woolloomooloo Bay with hybrids of marine, industrial and natural forms, transmitting ambient sounds. The semi-submerged shell objects act as natural reverberation chambers endlessly changing tone as the tide gradually fills and empties their interiors. The shell forms resting on the old sandstone structure, which was once the platform for the 'Figtree Baths', feature recordings digitally stored in chips with audio systems powered by solar panels located on top of the cranes.

22 comments:

  1. Looks like some fun artwork on the water's edge - great harbor view!

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  2. Interesting pieces of art emulating a crane, perhaps?

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  3. Never seen that one either. Really must get back down there when I get enough time back up to take longer lunches.

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  4. I had to have a closer look - at first I thought it was a telephone pole that had fallen over lol
    Nice shot tho'

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  5. one of the places i haven't been when we were in sydney - and i'm regretting it. :(

    http://allaboutaustralia.tatapilla.com/

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  6. It is a very interesting art work. From a distance, its shape looks like a giraffe.

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  7. Such an interesting water feature.. Great shot

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  8. How neat! What are the "ambient sounds"? How are they created?

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  9. Magical by the water I would imagine with its ambient sounds.
    Very nice shot!

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  10. Vicki, I found a website that explains the artwork in detail and I've linked it to my post. The semi-submerged shell objects act as natural reverberation chambers. The shell forms on the sandstone play recordings from digital chips powered by solar panels.

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  11. Apologies. I should've checked out your links first before bombarding you with questions...

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  12. No worries, Vicki. I just added a few more words of explanaton to my post for others.

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  13. You have a wonderful blog with a great collection of pictures!

    That's a nice artwork in this post...

    Pixellicious Photos

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  14. i have never heard of a fountain that uses sound this way - of course they all rely on water striking water!

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  15. Very interesting work. It has the shape of a giraffe!

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  16. I love this work of art! And it makes sound too? Wow!

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