Gravity and Weightlessness
Sound, movement and the contrast between monumentality and fragility
Bing Bang by Etienne Krähenbühl
For his piece titled Big Bang—a play on words with the sound it produces and the origin of the universe—Krähenbühl created a sphere of wind chimes fashioned using 850 cut rusty metal pipes, that move evenly to create a sphere of contraction/expansion while producing stunning sound vibrations, like an enormous wind chime. Bing Bang can be found at Chateau de Vullierens in Switzerland.
WATCH these videos for full experience of the sculpture…
See
Krähenbühl uses a wide variety of materials. The sculptures below tell many stories of contradiction.
The chicken or the egg, the chicken and the egg
The egg or the feather III
Plastic Pollution
Say
Opposites like empty/full, polished/corroded, flexible/stiffened to be used when describing Krähenbühl’s work.
Looking at the images and video above, name another pair of opposites you see in his sculptures.
Which sculpture do you find most intriguing? Why?
How might seeing his work as a part of a sculpture park be different from happening upon it unexpectedly?
Do
Krahenbuhl challenges the viewer by playing on the physical properties of his material. The contrast between monumentality and fragility, along with sound and movement, take on primary roles while showing the possibilities of expression through material. (3DFoundations)
Create a chime
Using unexpected materials involves exploring unconventional items or substances that are not traditionally associated with chimes. By doing so, you can challenge preconceived notions of what a chime should look and sound like, resulting in a design that surprises and intrigues. Here's how you can approach this:
Material Selection: Choose materials that are not typically used for making chimes. Think outside the box and consider items like recycled metal scraps, glass bottles, ceramic pieces, or even unconventional objects like seashells, wooden spoons, or old keys.
Sound Experimentation: Test how different materials produce sound when struck. Some materials may produce soft, subtle tones, while others may create more resonant or metallic sounds. Experiment with the placement and arrangement of materials to achieve a harmonious blend of tones.
Structural Design: Consider how to assemble the materials into a cohesive structure that allows them to interact and produce sound when moved by the wind. This could involve stringing the materials together with wire or rope, or mounting them onto a frame or base.
Aesthetic Appeal: Pay attention to the visual aspect of your chime design. Consider how the colors, shapes, and textures of the materials contribute to the overall aesthetic. Aim for a design that is visually striking and unique, drawing attention to the unexpected combination of materials.
Environmental Considerations: Think about how your chime design can be environmentally friendly by using recycled or repurposed materials. This not only adds an element of sustainability to your design but also adds to its creative appeal.
Interactive Elements: Explore incorporating interactive elements into your chime design, such as adjustable components that allow users to customize the sound or movement of the chime. This adds an element of playfulness and engagement to the design.
By following these steps and embracing the unexpected, you can create a chime design that challenges conventions and sparks curiosity and wonder in those who encounter it.
About Etienne Krähenbühl
Born in 1953 in Vevey, Switzerland, Krähenbühl attended Art School near his hometown in Lausanne. After 2 years of school, he spent a few years in Barcelona and Paris before establishing his studio in Romainmôtier, Switzerland. He was intrigued with different types of metals; His sculptures experimented with the changes that occur to the varying materials over time.
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