About the work

A sound installation fills the Girandole Grove, the reed-filled fountain of which is reminiscent of the myth of the creation of Pan’s flute. By setting up microphones throughout the grove, the artist makes ambient noises travel through the pipes of the garden’s empty fountains. The sounds of the visitors’ voices and footsteps are filtered through the unique resonance of each pipe like an organ, and then broadcast live in the grove. Using a microphone activation system, the artist orchestrates these natural frequencies to create a harmonious composition with the ambient sounds from the grounds. A reference to John Cage’s famous composition 4’33”, tacet is a musical term, instructing a musician to remain silent while others continue to play. The sounds are mixed live with no prior recording.

About the artist

Born in 1985 in Pembury, United Kingdom, Oliver Beer lives and works in London, United Kingdom, and Paris, France.

Through an acoustic perspective, the works of Oliver Beer reveal the innate musicality of the physical world, and constitute new forms of narration and musical composition. His training in both musical composition and visual arts led him to take a very early interest in the relationship that exists between sound and space—particularly through voice and architecture. His research leads to the creation of performances and installations in which the spectator’s mere presence is a form of participation. In addition, his sculptures and videos incarnate the visual, literal, or metaphorical expression of the subtle relationship between space, sound, and the human body.

The artist website