Solo Work
24 Hour Original Composition on Custom 16" 70v Horns, Stainless Steel Poles
MakerPark, Staten Island, 2025-2026
Detuning is a long-term outdoor public installation. The piece consists of two stainless steel poles driven into the earth along the waterfront of Staten Island's North Shore, with two industrial horn speakers playing an original minimalist composition on a loop every day. Wiring for the audio runs underground.
In Detuning, four chords each composed of 3 notes gradually detune upward in scaled proportion to the amount of sea level rise expected for the next thirty years in the New York metropolitan area. Each note moves independently, reflecting the irregular distribution of impacts from sea level rise and storm surge threats. This creates shifting harmonics and dissonances between the three notes as their pitches rise.
The 30 minute composition plays two times a day, in the afternoon at solar noon, and in the evening near sunset.
Detuning Audio Sample: Clip of the second chord within the progression. Please note that this is a small sample. The entire sonic loop is 24 hours long.
Special thanks to Scott Van Campen for mentorship and assistance in the fabrication and installation of this piece, and to Annette Pierce for stewardship of the installation over the exhibition period.
The piece can be viewed as part of MakerSpace NYC's artist in residence exhibition at 450 Front St, Staten Island, NY 10304.