Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Wexner Center Presents Siren

Siren, a whirling, spinning spectacle of sound and light, will be presented at the Wexner Center Thursday–Saturday, February 26–28 at 8 pm.

The sound installation, by British composer and artist Ray Lee, is comprised of tall metal tripods rigged with rotating arms, each equipped with a pair of tone generators and two LED lights. These individually tuned sirens emit pulsing drones while the illuminated tips trace fiery patterns in rapidly circling trajectories; as the hour-long program progresses, seemingly infiinte layers of complex harmonies build on each other, while the audience is invited to walk through and among the tripods.

Siren produces alarming sounds for alarming times: hypnotically intense but also strangely soothing, like a celestial choir of harmonic overtones. The electrifying environment immerses the viewer in an alluring spell of unique sonic and visual delight.

Click here for a podcast featuring Chuck Helm, the Wexner Center’s director of performing arts, discussing Lee’s work; a video can be viewed here.

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