T R I M P I N


				Trimpin, Phffft, air-pulsated kinetic 
				sound environment, wood, metal, plastic, 
				electronics, 30 x 70 x 20 ft, 1994. 
				(Photo: Mark Eifen) 


				


				Phffft is a sound environment that 
				features sculptures containing more than 200 
				tuned air-activated sound sources (reeds, 
				flutes, pitched pipes, whistles, etc.). The 
				sculptures generate air flurries and musical 
				undercurrents, bursts of sound and sustained 
				harmonics. Visitors interact with the 
				sculptures through a sensor that triggers an 
				original composition stored in the computer. 
				Although it is computerized for interactivity 
				and sequencing, the installation consists 
				solely of natural acoustic sound---nothing is 
				synthesized or amplified. Air is the medium 
				that has always been used to articulate any 
				form of artistic or verbal communication 
				utilizing sound, therefore ancient tuning 
				systems are used for some of the instruments. 

				(Trimpin, 4136 Meridian Avenue, Seattle, 
				WA 98103, U.S.A.)


				For more images by Trimpin, 
				see the print journal 
				L E O N A R D O 
				Vol. 29, No. 1 (1996),
				available from the MIT Press 
				(journals-orders@mit.edu). 

				

				
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