#211: The Beech Cello
Curiouser and curiouser at the Waveney Sculpture Trail
Sitting in a beech tree, in Raveningham, at the Waveney Sculpture Trail, is this Beech Cello. Beside it hang Microtonal Chimes, and together, along with the wind in the trees and the rustling of leaves, these out-of-place objects add to the natural sounds of the environment.
The Beech Cello is a creation of my father’s, one of many sound art installations he has made over the years, and part of one of many arts events I have been along to, helped with, or watched from afar in relation to my parents. I have grown up knowing and using and helping to make strange, unique objects like these, installations of sound or light (or both) which are put into a place in which they would otherwise never be found.
These are objects to suggest contemplation, in a new way. Like the Outdoor Seat which captured my attention two years ago exactly, these objects, unique in themselves, are placed into environments in which they would not usually be found, yet they become part of that environment.
This beech cello, made from wood from a different tree, has now been attached to a beech tree. Its ‘strings’ — trailer straps from a haulage company — are tied on one end to the ‘cello’, and on the other, to the tree. They reach up into its branches and become part of the rustling in the wind, because this sound installation relies on nature, and the natural movings of the weather. Like the chimes beside it, these straps require the blowing of the wind to move and create their own, deep sounds, which resonate within the cello box and add to the noise of the Waveney Valley Sculpture trail.
But sometimes, the wind does not cooperate. There are days when the wind does not rustle the leaves or vibrate the straps, but instead leaves them to sit still and silent. It is in these moments that the people who visit this trail come into play. They will come across this out-of-place object, they will stare and wonder, and then the curious ones will step forward, reach their hands out, and pluck the strings. A different noise to the humming of the wind, but a sound nonetheless.
This is the creativity of tension. The tension needed to hold straps taught so that they make a sound. The tension of waiting for the wind to blow hard and in just the right direction. The tension of a finger against a strap as visitors pluck the ‘strings’, and add their own sounds to the environment.
Here at Object we love our instruments — Eleanor has her saxophone, I have my viola. Now my father has this beech cello. Or rather, every visitor to the Sculpture Trail has one, because this is an instrument for the public, an object of curiosity for every soul that crosses its path. The power of an outdoor installation, and the combination of music, creativity, nature, weather — and the humans who start it all.
The Waveney Valley Sculpture Trail is taking place at The Raveningham Centre, in Raveningham, Norfolk, from 17th August until 16th September 2018. If you’re interested, more information can be found at the website here.
Katie writes a weekly blog post about random objects that she finds in her everyday life. If you’re interested in reading more, check out her blog Object, a collaboration with fellow Medium blogger Eleanor, and sign up for the monthly newsletter (containing exclusive content) below. You can also follow us on Twitter at @ObjectBlog.
