Following my research on the turbulence of air I am directing my attention to the most complete of all wind instruments: the church organ.
Setting as a start point two mechanical principles, the sliding and the control of the airflow, I am conceiving new instruments with the idea of organizing an orchestral ensemble aimed to perform and to move sound experimentation forward.
The first of this series of instruments, the Pipe-Koto, was developed for the project « The reverse session », by artist Tarek Atoui. The second version of this instrument now belongs to the collection of the Tate Modern London.
It is this second version which gave birth to my collaboration with Jean Jaques Mounier, church organ maker, who has lead the project towards its next stage.
Two new instruments are currently under construction: a remake of the Pipe-Koto this time adapted to a more traditional blower, and an instrument with sliding reeds.
Improvisation with 3 16 inches sliding reeds
Improvisation with 5 sliding harmonics flutes
Tarek Atoui: Organ Within, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, June 27, 2019. Performer: C. Spencer Yeh. Photo: Enid Alvarez © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation
