Sonic Architecture
SOUND PLAYGROUND - MUSIC SCULPTURE - INTERACTIVE MUSICAL PLAY
For over 30 years, artist/musician team, Bill and Mary Buchen, have designed public art installations and interactive sound sculptures for parks, schools, science centers, transit stations, children’s museums and playgrounds around the world. Their artworks invite active play and group participation; whether tapping rhythms on percussion instruments inspired by global music cultures or investigating environmental phenomena.
Designed to engage all ages and skill levels in communal music making and sonic explorations, their innovative sound sculptures are available either individually or as an integrated ensemble for any outdoor recreational or educational setting. All are precision fabricated in the USA of powder–coated or stainless steel and designed for ultimate durability, low maintenance and easy bolt-down installation.
DRUM TABLES AND SEATS
A trio of tables with two seats celebrating African drumming traditions and inviting communal music making. Based on an archetypal drum shape known as the Dumbek. The seats also function as drums. Available as single sets of one table and two seats. All stainless steel, durable and strong. Designed for all ages.
TALKING DRUMS
With names that mimic their tones, the quinto, tumba, and conga comprise a classic Afro-Cuban drum ensemble. All stainless steel, durable and strong. Designed for all ages.
KIDS DRUMS
With names that mimic their tones, the quinto, tumba, conga, bata, atabaque, djembe, and pow wow drums comprise a world rhythm ensemble that is especially designed to develop smaller children’s skills with percussive music making. All stainless steel, durable and strong. designed for all ages
SLAPPED PIPES
Slapped Pipes are activated both by the public and by the wind. They consist of a radial configuration of vertical pipes tuned to a 2 octave five-note (pentatonic) scale. When the open ends of the pipes are slapped with beach sandals or the flat of the hand, percussive tones of the scale are produced. The resonant frequency of the pipes can also be heard by listening at the open ends. Each pipe has a different harmonic. The forerunner of this instrument is a series of hollowed out bamboo tubes found in the Solomon Islands of Micronesia. They were left in situ and turned bamboo groves into singing forests. It is also related to the Chinese Sheng; a musical instrument made of bamboo pipes. 17’ X 2 1/2’
LISTENING DISHES
Children speak or listen through dishes inter- connected at distances up to 150 feet. The dishes focus sound waves at the listener’s ear. Below ground chambers can also function as ‘echo chambers’. Powder coated and stainless steel 5’ X 4’ X 2’
TELEPHONE TUBES
Children explore active play and communication through tubes interconnected underground in pairs. They hear how the sound of their voices is affected by the resonant frequency of the tubes when they whisper, sing, or speak through the open ends. Powder coated steel
