Study in Balance No.2
Mixed media installation. 2023.
Variable dimensions.
Blowdryer, 6” clamp, two 500ml bottles, three books on harmony,* electronics.
Photo by Paul Litherland.
A blowdryer resonates two bottles at random intervals of time. The sound of its motor combined with the sound of the bottles, produces a harmonious chord. Here, musical harmony is conditional upon spatial harmony. The relative position of each object must be exact or the bottles will not resonate. In this way, the installation is both literally and figuratively propped up by the three music books on which the blowdryer is placed. These books both provide the necessary angle for resonance while also informing the musical concepts upon which the piece is based.
Please note that electric current is sent to the blowdryer at random intervals. Minutes may go by without it making a sound.
*The books used in this installation are : “Aspects of 20th Century Music” by Richard P. Delone , “Twentieth Century Harmony” by
Vincent Persichetti and “Harmony” by Walter Piston, dimmer pack, electronics.