Any sculpture that produces a tone or percussive action is referred to as a sound sculpture. It can also refer to a sculpture that is inspired by sound but does not produce it. The term is also used to describe the exact opposite — a sound that creates a sculpture or work of art. In art and music, both are considered contemporary or avant-garde.
There is only one requirement for sound sculptures that produce tones and percussive noises. This is a source of sound initiation, or something that causes the sculpture to interact. The artist might, for example, create a complex system of tubes that whistle when air passes through them. The air passing through a vent connected to an air conditioning system, natural wind from the outdoors, a fan, or air passing through a vent connected to an air conditioning system could all be sources of initiation. Aside from that, a sound sculpture’s color, size, medium, and overall design are entirely up to the artist’s imagination.
When a sound sculpture is inspired by sound rather than percussing or creating tones, the artist faces the difficult task of translating a specific sound into a visual concept. This is difficult because what comes to mind visually when a person hears a certain sound is heavily influenced by culture and personal experiences.
Sound sculpture is entirely based on the principles of vibration, amplitude, and frequency. Sound waves are created by all sounds and travel through matter. Sound waves can be seen as movement of a material if the right amplitude and frequency are available. An artist could, for example, place a wet clay on a sheet of metal and use sound waves to vibrate the clay into a random pattern. This is a straightforward method for sculpting with sound.
When it comes to creating a sound sculpture, an artist has one more option. He can use computer technology to control and send commands to his artistic tools. Paint pumps, mechanical adjustment arms, and a music keyboard, for example, could all be connected to a computer system. He could then assign specific frequencies to each pump and adjustment arm using a computer program. The artist could then “paint” using any combination of tones on the keyboard. An artist could also connect a computer to lasers or light emitting diodes so that they turn on and off in response to specific frequencies or amplitudes.
Although both types of sound sculptures push the boundaries of creativity, they are most commonly found in museums, but they can also be found in modern settings such as office buildings. Artists have used these sculptures to engage the public in some cases. The public, for example, may be able to “play” the sound sculpture, which will play an important role in educating the public about the importance and accessibility of music and art.