Mount Greenwood
For Chicago Public Art Group
Mount Greenwood Park
Chicago, IL
2008
Steel, stainless steel, bronze
Dimensions variable
These Mt. Greenwood Sound Sculptures are the creation of sculptor James Brenner with the acoustical design of collaborator Jake Worley-Hood. These site-specific sound sculptures integrate the overall design for the park with a sense of musical forms and tonal textures. The sculptural instruments are designed to engage creative minds while withstanding years of outdoor use.
James Brenner’s sculptural forms are positioned along a spiral walkway that moves the viewer/participant through the installation and culminates in the majestic Spiral Bells. Typical of Brenner’s work, the elements of the sound sculpture capture the essential forms from their surroundings. The work seeks to both compliment and accentuate the park design while seamlessly integrating their function as sculptural instruments.
Each piece is tuned to have a stunning tone and to fill a unique position within the ensemble. The pieces reference the spiral motif of the park as well as musical symbols: the treble clef in Spiral Bells, the bass clef in Cosmos Xylophones and spherical note shapes in the form of the Tongue Drums, Rainmaker Spheres and Gong Tower. Each instrument in the sculpture is tuned to a pentatonic scale. This grouping of notes is ideal due to the fact that no note or combination of notes have the potential to clash.
Upon completion of the sculptures, the opening ceremony included a performance of original music using the sculptures by performers Jake Worley-Hood, Frank Rosaly, Quinn Kirchner, Josh Siegal and Marc Riordan.
This project is unique in its combination of sculptural and acoustical aesthetics.
