Miranda Hawkes [Howl]

Howl is an interactive sculpture that explores the generative potential of wind at Overlook. Using the reverberative technology of a pipe organ, Howl employs sound to reveal the power and presence of the wind.

Individual tubes affixed to the outside of the sculpture harmonize together as the wind passes over them. A seat is fastened to the inside of the structure, allowing a person to sit and experience the installation. Howl’s wedge-like shape amplifies and directs sound toward the participant, creating an immersive experience at the center of the sculpture. The entire machine pivots, inviting the participant to tune Howl to the conditions of the moment.

The piece both influences and is influenced by the local landscape. Its purple color provides a strong visual contrast to the seasonal fluctuations of the surrounding grasses, and in doing so, intentionally alters the viewshed and shapes perceptions of the site. Howl also takes advantage of local wind patterns, being sited where wind currents are consistently strong at Overlook.

-MH