EXPLORING MYSTERIES OF SOUND

THE worlds of sound, art and science merge for a new exhibition in Birmingham.

SoundMuse: The Sound Of Nature And The Nature Of Sound will be the debut exhibition from Birminghambased classical musician, composer, artist and teacher Nick Chamberlain.

Featuring sounds from the natural world, and compositions inspired by them, the immersive exhibition will also include visual representations of sound. These photographs and images will show what happens when sound interacts with water, granules and smoke, and demonstrate how machines can ‘draw’ sound.

The results are often surprising, with complex geometric shapes and patterns emerging.

Explains Nick: “With the SoundMuse exhibition, I want to explore some of the mysteries of sound and bring to life the connections between sound, visual forms and science.

“The visual side of the exhibition has evolved from my research into sound, and especially cymatics, the study of visualising sound waves. I am fascinated by the multitude of patterns and forms that emerge in water, soap bubbles and granules when sound is passed through them, and my work is intended to celebrate these amazing natural symmetries.

“The natural word also inspires my audio-visual work in a more direct, familiar way. Moments Of Nature In Sound is a series of seven pieces inspired by such familiar things as rain, wind, flowers and bees, each evoking a fleeting series of moments. The video images sometimes directly illustrate the music and soundscapes, but at other times, the sounds themselves are creating the images in real time.”

The exhibition will also include vintage and antique technology, such as a 1980s Harmonograph and 1920s children’s gramophone, as well as various unusual sound related scientific instruments and ephemera.

SoundMuse: The Sound Of Nature And The Nature Of Sound runs from June 7-24 at The Hive Gallery, Vittoria Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 3.30pm. Admission free. See www.soundmuse.co.uk