21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

Twelve pipes that bell out like tubas are installed in the lawn surrounding the Museum. Each pipe passes underground and connects to another pipe, and each pair of pipes performs as a speaking tube. The bells of the paired pipes do not necessarily stand near one another, however, and hence, the speaker’s voice will be sent somewhere unexpected, and an entirely unexpected voice will be heard. While simple in structure, this contrivance produces a landscape where sound seems to travel through a labyrinth. The word “klangfeld” of the German title means “sound field.” The work is an expression of artist Florian Claar’s fascination with producing artworks that explore the possibilities of sound—a fascination propelling him since his early career.

Florian CLAAR
Born in Stuttgart, West Germany in 1968. Lives and works in Fujisawa.
Florian Claar produces three-dimensional artworks that employ sound, and artworks based on the digital analysis of sound waves. He has also undertaken many sculptural works for public spaces. By integrating CG image technology with three-dimensional art objects, he has created a world that calls our attention to the geometric structures and unusual sensory experiences abounding in our everyday world.

Production year: 2004
Media and technique: aluminum, polyvinyl chloride pipe, concrete
Size: 91.5 x 101.6 x 71.5, 68.7 x 101.6 x 66.1, 46 x 101.6 x 61 cm